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 With government food commodity shipments cut in half, the shelves are nearly empty at the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank where Lieu Smith and other volunteers try to assist the 600-plus families who come to them for assistance each month. Smith says the number of hungry families keeps rising while their supplies dwindle. Donations are desperately needed, he said, especially with the holidays at hand. Anna Mathews / Carroll County News |
The food bank, located on Bunch Springs Road, reached a new milestone this summer, when it began serving 600 families per month.
Now it will have less food to serve those families, after government agencies discovered that the food bank has been receiving commodities from two different federal agencies.
Food banks can only receive commodities from one source, said Loretta Tanner, a board member at Loaves and Fishes. "It's leaving us with empty shelves," she said.
Tanner described a "desperate need," with increasing numbers of people coming to the food bank for help.
With winter and the holiday season approaching, the food bank will see even more need for help for county residents. Donations of money are always appreciated, as well as items like peanut butter, beans, pasta, and canned vegetables.
Loaves and Fishes is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesdays. The food bank is staffed completely by volunteers, and more information is available at (870) 423-4246.
At the Flint Street Food Bank in Eureka Springs, Pat Kasner said they did not have a problem similar to that encountered by Loaves and Fishes, since Flint Street was not receiving commodities through the Office of Human Concern.
Kasner said, "We're always in need, but donations in the area have been wonderful." She mentioned the generosity of churches, service clubs, and individuals who have helped support the mission of Flint Street.
"Our scout drive is coming up in mid-November," she said, "and it's always a huge help for us.
She said the numbers of people served at Flint Street have remained steady in recent months, but they always see increased need during the winter months.
For those interested in donating, Kasner mentioned the same needs as Loaves and Fishes, for peanut butter, tuna, canned goods, pasta, and rice.
"This town is amazingly generous," she said.
More information about the Flint Street food bank is available at (479) 253-9491.
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Fishes and Loaves should do the right thing and pay back the tax payers since it sounds like they knew they were double dipping two federal agencies; ie "stealing".
Furthermore, I've driven by and seen late model cars and pickups outside, and over weight people loading up. Over weight people don't need to be subsidized with more food. Also I, Tyson posts help wanted ads in the paper every week.
They should start handing making work a prereq before getting food.
Before you Judge the Fishes and loaves and the people being helped maybe you should take the time and meet some of those people. Oh and you should know thier policy, because they can only help those unemployed people limited amount. If you have a income and need the assistants they are able to help. I had a heart attack at work right before the ice storm hit. so not only did I loose all my groceries I had know way of buying food either for my small children, I made to much money in the previous months for goverment assitant program foodstamps. BUT guess what i was one of those fat people (you refered too) they helped out and my children had food till I was able to go back to work. I pray to god that you and your family never have any kind of hardship that you might have to rely on someone else. Tyson keeps the ad in the paper, but aren't always hiring. I am sorry you feel that the less fortunate are less than you. Some of us are hard working citizens that sometimes have a moment of need. Thank you and have a nice weekend
To Anonymous
Before you are to quick to judge maybe you should stop by and visit the Fish and Loaves to see what exactly is going on there. Many of those newer cars you see are very nice people that take the less fortunate like myself there so I can receive help. And you know what, I am one of those fat people who use to work full time but unfortunately due to an accident became disabled but still try to contribute to my community. Have you yourself ever truly been hungry? I hope you never have to know that feeling. It is a very sad desperate feeling to not be able to feed your family. If you think what they are doing is wrong, I want you to go there just one day and volunteer and see the faces of the people you are so harsh to judge. Look into there eyes and then say to there face what you are such a coward to say here. While I know there are probably those that abuse such programs there are MANY that don't. Think before you speak the next time, for you never know the circumstances of those that are there to receive help. It is only one little thing that can land even yourself there for help. Just remember that the next time you so harshly judge others.