Study: Recession increases need for food banks in Southeast Missouri

News that the recession is forcing significantly more Southeast Missourians to seek emergency food assistance comes as no surprise to Southeast Missouri Food Bank director Karen Green.

Last year the local food bank distributed more than 5.2 million pounds of food, an increase from the 2.8 million pounds of food given out in 2008, according to a study released Tuesday. Green said the increase is further evidence that more families are seeking the services of the area food bank, including some for the first time.

"The recession is here and unemployment has skyrocketed," Green said. "One in five of those we serve are people who are working but aren't earning enough to make ends meet.

"Others have members in their household who are not able to work because of health issues," she said. "They're having to make tough choices like, 'do we pay bills or buy groceries?'"

The latest information is based on a study conducted by the Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Missouri Food Bank Association and Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. The study's goal was to link the recession with the increased demand for emergency food assistance.

Nationally, about 5.7 million people received emergency food assistance weekly from a soup kitchen, food pantry or other agency service by Feeding America's 200 food banks, the study found.

Locally, about 40,000 people received emergency food assistance through the Southeast Missouri Food Bank, about 28,000 fewer than the total number of those living below the poverty line in the 16-county region for which the organizations distributes food.

"If we're not reaching everyone we needed to reach in 2008, what is happening right now with the economy and loss of jobs?" Green asked. "We have to address that. We have to find new ways to address that hunger need in Southeast Missouri."

To that end, the Southeast Missouri Food Bank recently launched a Mobile Food Pantry. This month two trailers, each filled with 6,000 pounds of food, will be on hand for food pantry distribution.

Mobile Food Pantries are scheduled this week in Cape Girardeau, Howardville, Mo., Sikeston, Mo., and Malden, Mo. Times vary, but Green said the mobile pantries will end for the day once all food is distributed.

"This program started in Michigan a few years ago and, like that state, we have a lot of remote areas," Green said. "Because we have counties considered among the poorest and because our region is primarily rural, we are fortunate to be able to offer the Mobile Food Pantry food delivery system to reach the pockets of poverty that exist here."

Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri, said organizations like the Southeast Missouri Food Bank are vital to helping fight hunger in the state.

"In this time, we've all got to learn to be more efficient," Jernigan said. "I hope the local food pantries will take a look at the food bank and realize they can help those organization make the best use of the resources."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Schedule of mobile food pantries

* Today: 5 p.m. at Victory Outreach Church and Bethel Assembly of God, 1000 Big Bend Road, Cape Girardeau

* Thursday: 7 a.m. at Friendship Church of God in Christ, 7461 US 61, Howardville, Mo.

* Friday: 11:30 a.m. at Sikeston Food Pantry, 920 N. Kingshighway St., Sikeston, Mo.

* Saturday: 9 a.m. at United Voice of Zion, 1483 Highway 25 N., Malden, Mo.

* Feb. 11: 8:30 a.m. at United Gospel Mission, 421 West Pine St., Poplar Bluff, Mo.

* Feb. 12: 10 a.m. at Faith Family Worship, 600 Sargent Drive, Fredericktown, Mo.

* Feb. 18: 9 a.m. at Reynolds County Pantry, 1065 Highway 106, Ellington, Mo.

* To be announced: Mississippi County

Pertinent addresses:

3920 Nash Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

430 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO