The Wellington Food Bank is playing a numbers game that Director Shirley Musson says she’d rather not see.
Sky-rocketing numbers of individuals and families have been asking the organization for help. On Wednesday, Musson said 34 families or 104 people had been to the food bank in three hours they were open — the most she has ever seen in her years at the food bank.
“There were times when we couldn’t see the front door cause these people were bringing themselves and their kids in,” Musson said Wednesday.
Already for the month, the food bank has served more than 600 people — a record high Musson said — and the month isn’t over.
On Friday morning the familiar, constant chiming of the front door was an unwelcome reminder of the need for the food bank in the community.
More than 44 people had been in the food bank in the hour and a half it had been open, Friday morning. One woman from Milan came in desperate need for her large family of 13. Though she didn’t want to speak with the newspaper, she openly thanked Musson and the workers for giving what they could.
“I didn’t expect this much of an outpouring... I was just expecting a can of green beans. You guys are angels,” the woman said in near tears.
“Just say a prayer for us,” said Musson.
The director sees the need everyday people pour into the food bank. Food flies off the shelves, bags are filled and refilled with goods and volunteers bustle like a hive of bees during open hours.
Musson says the increase is most likely coming from the amount of laid off workers in the area. This leaves the organization in a strange position as the people who once gave whole-heartedly are now the ones looking for help.
“So many of the people who are coming in now are laid off. We have a certain amount of people who come in every month because the food stamps won’t last until the end of the month...but the ones we are seeing now need everything because they have no money,” she said. “They have nothing coming in,”
The elderly are also being affected by the economic downturn. One couple has no electricity and no gas, and will soon be evicted from their home. Musson says it’s her duty to make sure they at least have full bellies. A nearby neighbor volunteered to keep the food cool in their refrigerator, but Musson says her mind keeps going back to the couple, especially with the century-mark heat.
“They have nothing...I even ran water for my dog. These are humans we’re talking about,” she said.
As demand increases, supply may also have to increase.
“We’re keeping up and if we do, we’ll have to stay open more hours and we’re going to have more volunteers. We’re working seven days a week now,” said Musson. Utilities are costing the food bank more $600 a month currently — money Musson says they don’t have.
“We need everything. Food, donations, volunteers...you name it, we need to have it,” said Musson.
The Wellington woman knows, maybe better than most, that times are hard for everyone, but asks for the community’s help in whatever they can provide.
“Eating is not something you have a choice in doing,” said Musson.
For more information on how to help the food bank, call 326-5301.
Wellington, Kan. —
