This year St. Vincent de Paul is planning to deliver 300 Thanksgiving boxes, up from 225 last year, said Stan Garner, the food bank manager.
As of Thursday, the food bank was short 60 turkeys.
 Bob Corcoran, a nine-year volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul, prepares a food box for a family of six Thursday at the food bank on Bartow Drive. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review) |
Cases of boxed stuffing were in the food bank storage room at 614 Bartow Drive, as volunteers helped box and bag food boxes.
Besides the need for a few more turkeys is the greater need for the food bank’s regular food boxes, which includes three days worth of food for families in need.
“I think that our biggest need would just be everyday items, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly,” he said.
Cash donations are also a great help, since Garner, a self-described “professional shopper,” is often able to buy more food at reduced prices. The food bank purchases about 80 percent of the food that goes into the boxes.
In October, the food bank gave out 782 food boxes, an increase over the about 500 that are typically serve. Garner believes the economy and rising unemployment are the likely causes for increased demand.
Food boxes typically feed between one to six people and sometimes more, depending on individual family sizes.
The holiday’s are a steady donation time but donations typically drop after the holidays, Garner said.
“January through March is our slowest donation period for food and funds,” he said.
This year donations given to local Girl Scouts and Cox Communications are also being brought to the St. Vincent DePaul food bank.
Nearby, the Salvation Army, at 156 E. Wilcox Drive, also has seen an increased need for food and other services, said Capt. Bob Schmig.
The Salvation Army and volunteers prepare and serve a free Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 549 Veterans Drive.
So far, the Salvation Army has plenty of volunteers, but is in need of more turkey, pies and Cool Whip, canned yams and vegetables, boxed stuffing and mashed potatoes.
After Thanksgiving, the Salvation Army is planning to give out about 200 Christmas food boxes.
The Salvation Army also has a food pantry, which provides food boxes and hot meals three days a week. Sack lunch meals are provided twice a week.
“People don’t stop being hungry (after the holidays),” Schmig said.
Though a short interview and other information are requested, their organizations will not turn away the hungry, said Garner and Schmig.
Donations for the Salvation Army can be given during their kettle drives at store fronts this season. The kettle drive is their greatest fundraiser is the year, the organization hopes to raise $50,000 this season.
“We’re looking to better our goal from last year because we’re anticipating a lot more need,” Schmig said.
In addition to the Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul, some local churches also are having food drives. New Jerusalem Church, St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and the First God in Christ are in need of food donations, said Denise Anderson, a West End-based volunteer.
Herald/Review reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683 or by e-mail at laura.ory@svherald.com.
WHERE YOU CAN HELP
The St. Vincent de Paul food bank is located at 614 Bartow Drive in Sierra Vista or can be contacted at 458-9725.
The Salvation Army is located at 156 E. Wilcox Drive in Sierra Vista or can be contacted by phone at 459-8411.
