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Food Banks See Spike in Demand

Former donors now need donations: bank director

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 27, 2008 5:24 PM CST
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(AP) – As millions of American families gathered to give thanks for what they have, food banks and shelters struggled to cope with a spike in demand for their services. "Food bank after food bank tells me it's new faces, people they haven't seen before," says one charity spokesman in Chicago. "They will tell you it's the worst it's ever been."

Some examples:

  • The city food bank in Chicago has seen a 33% increase in food pantry demand from July to September, compared to the same period last year.
  • Donations to the Salvation Army in the Washington, DC, area have dropped 20 percent, while requests for assistance have risen 30%.
  • The Food Bank of Alaska dipped into its Christmas reserves to make sure everyone seeking Thanksgiving Day donations received them. The food bank handed out turkey dinners to 5,787 people, about one-third more than last year.

Veronica Lewis smiles as President-elect Barack Obama, and his family distribute the Thanksgiving turkeys at the food bank at St. Columbus Catholic Church in Chicago, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008.
Veronica Lewis smiles as President-elect Barack Obama, and his family distribute the Thanksgiving turkeys at the food bank at St. Columbus Catholic Church in Chicago, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Steve Baker, left, executive director at the Grace Resource Center chats with people waiting to receive groceries Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, in Lancaster, Calif.
Steve Baker, left, executive director at the Grace Resource Center chats with people waiting to receive groceries Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, in Lancaster, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
As more strapped Americans rely on charity amid worsening economic gloom, operators of food banks and other charities are relying on the surprisingly resilient generosity of their neighbors.
As more strapped Americans rely on charity amid worsening economic gloom, operators of food banks and other charities are relying on the surprisingly resilient generosity of their neighbors.   (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Dec 3, 2008 3:35 AM CST
Economy & unemployment
Guest
Nov 27, 2008 11:19 PM CST
I wonder why that is? Does anyone know?

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.


Demand and donations are both up
Associated Press

Struggling to make ends meet
ABC News

Same story north of the border
CBC (Canada)

US

 
charity • Thanksgiving • food banks • economy • financial crisis • economic disparity

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