Red kettles, food banks: Need continues to grow

Here's a little Christmastime ritual some folks follow. They keep a few dollars or coins in their purses or wallets so they never have to pass a Salvation Army kettle without giving something.

Last Saturday, a generous little boy and girl donated the entire contents of their piggy banks to the annual fundraiser. It was mostly pennies, and the kettle almost required a forklift to get it back to the office. (Well, not really, but it was heavy.)

The goal this year for the Tri-Cities is to raise $150,000 from the kettles. Last year, the total income was $124,000.

The kettle campaign traditionally pays for about 10 percent of the local Salvation Army's operations.

The need is up this year because of state and federal cuts to Salvation Army programs to help pay for food, rent and utility assistance for families in need.

But, as no one needs reminding, as money becomes tighter, the need for social services grows.

And it is not just the Salvation Army.

Across the spectrum, food banks are experiencing a leveling off of goods and a substantial increase in people needing help.

John Neill, Tri-Cities Food Banks volunteer executive director, is seeing more unemployed workers, college students and seniors.

Golden Age Food Share, Seventh-day Adventist Community Services, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Second Harvest Tri-Cities, the Tri-Cities Food Banks and the Connell Food Bank are in need of fruits, vegetables, canned goods, protein and money.

Can you help? Here's where to go:

-- Connell Food Bank, P.O. Box 745, Connell, 99326. Food donations are accepted at U.S. Bank in Connell or by calling 234-0243.

-- Golden Age Food Share. Drop off donations at 504 S. Oregon Ave., in Pasco, or mail to P.O. Box 4467, Pasco, 99301.

-- Othello Food Bank, P.O. Box 152, Othello, 99344.

-- Pasco Community Service Food Bank, Bring donations to the Seventh-day Adventist Community Services at 605 Road 36, Pasco.

-- Second Harvest Tri-Cities, online at 2-harvest.org, via mail at P.O. Box 6166, Kennewick, 99336, or call 585-3924

-- St. Vincent de Paul Society, 1120 W. Sylvester St., Pasco, 99301. Note that the donation is for the food bank.

-- Take or send donations to the Kennewick Food Bank, 420 Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, Richland Food Bank, 321 Wellsian Way, Richland or Benton City Food Bank, 712 10th St., Benton City.