Food banks in Tri-Cities feel pinch

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer

As last-minute shoppers searched store shelves Wednesday for that last can of cranberry sauce, hundreds of their neighbors stood in line at area food banks hoping to get enough for a Thanksgiving meal today.

"If this is any indication of the volume of individuals we'll have during Christmas, it's going to be a real challenge," said John Neill, deputy executive director for the Tri-Cities Food Bank.

About 200 families were given food Tuesday at the Richland and Kennewick outlets and nearly 180 more showed up Wednesday, he said.

Before the holidays, each location was averaging about 80 families a day. And more than 10 new families have signed up every day at the food bank's three locations, including one in Benton City, said Art King, executive director for the food banks.

At the food bank in Kennewick on Wednesday, people stood in a long line in 40-degree weather until they could reach the crowded the waiting area and inched their shopping carts toward the food shelves.

"We're starting to run low on bread," said Neill as he stood surrounded by pallets of empty boxes. "But we'll take care of everyone who needs to be taken care of."

Tuesday the food bank ran out of meat and Wednesday it barely was able to provide turkeys for families after receiving a new shipment from Second Harvest -- the "food bank to the food banks."

"Demand is just so much higher during the holiday season," said King. "If you're right on the edge, Christmas can push you over."

As Marcia Brasher of Kennewick walked out of the food bank Wednesday with the essentials for a Thanksgiving dinner -- turkey, bread rolls and vegetables for her family of eight -- she noticed the long line.

"There's a lot of needy people," she said, "but the volunteers inside need help too."

Thanks to the food bank and the volunteers she said, "Thanksgiving will be a good one this year."

Though the demand for food has put a strain on the food bank's operations, support is never far behind.

Second Harvest has planned numerous food drives since October to prepare for the holidays.

"We try to do as many drives as we can year-round," said Kathye Kilgore, Second Harvest director.

"Anytime is an opportune time (for a food drive)," she said. "But the community tends to be more generous during the holidays."

Just Wednesday morning, 3,000 pounds of food was delivered from Virgie Robinson Elementary School in Pasco.

The school has the most economically challenged population, Kilgore said, and it's incredible to see them stretch what they don't have.

Other food drives will continue to provide support in the coming weeks, cushioning the crunch between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Food items -- primarily meat products -- are desperately needed, Neill said.

Holidays and other expenses can add up, causing people to look for food deals and forget what is nutritional, Kilgore said.

If food or money can't be spared, Neill suggests donating time.

"We always need more food and volunteers," he said, adding that the demand takes a lot out of his team.

"We had a heck of a day, we're exhausted" he said with a sigh.

To volunteer to donate food, time or money, call 509-586-0688 in Kennewick, 509-943-2795 in Richland and 509-588-5454 in Benton City.

-- Dalina Castellanos: 509-582-1542; dcastellanos@tricityherald.com

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Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009

Food banks in Tri-Cities feel pinch

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer