By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Across Wood County, more people are turning to food pantries to help feed their families. Some food banks offer food once a month, others whenever needed. Some require proof of need, others ask for nothing.
“We’re seeing more food insecurity,” said Sue Clanton, director of United Way in Wood County. So last month, people representing food pantries throughout Wood County gathered at the United Way office in Bowling Green to collect information on all the grassroots efforts to help the hungry.
Information was recorded on how often food is available, how much food is given per person, and how families qualify at each operation.
The details will be updated in the county’s “211” help telephone system, so when people call for help they can be directed to the place most able to assist.
In addition to bags of groceries, many of the sites offer such help as free meals, laundry and shower services, clothing, kitchenware, toiletries and baby items. Others provide car care, used furniture or community garden crops.
Many of the operations are hosted by churches. Some are open multiple days a week, others once a month.
“We don’t turn anyone away hungry,” said a volunteer with St. Thomas More’s food pantry in Bowling Green.
First United Methodist Church in Bowling Green averages 200 clients a month at its food program, Heather Sayler said. The church has four freezers, and may need to add another for the program.
“We’re looking at harnessing our volunteers,” with more than 50 a month, she said. “Long-term we’re looking at home delivery.”
Perrysburg Christians United offers food once a month, and help with rent and utilities for people at risk or eviction or having their utilities cut.
The Brown Bag program in Bowling Green is open three days a week. The site has no “means testing,” and provided for about 17,000 meals last year.
“We help people in urgent crisis in need of food,” Gwen Andrix said. “All it takes is for someone to say, ‘I don’t know where I’m going to get my next meal.’”
Many people are falling through the cracks, according to Andrix. All it takes is one unexpected car repair, sickness or a spouse leaving to push someone into poverty. So people are also offered a sheet listing local resources – “to hopefully find a lasting solution to whatever situation they are in.”
The Brown Bag program also tries to offer delivery 24/7.
“If you call us today, I will try to get food to you today,” Andrix said.
The Otsego Food Pantry has served families in that school district for more than 20 years.
“We wanted to make sure children were being served,” said Lisa Hatfield. That program tries to provide enough food and toiletries to last seven to 10 days. Normally the help is offered once a month, however, it can be “once a week as they get through a rough spot.”
No proof of need is required. “People just have to say they have a need,” she said.
Hatfield said the Otsego pantry also tries to meet other needs. “We do mentoring. We do job referrals,” and can provide gas vouchers.
Hatfield questioned the number of people who go from one food pantry to another in the county.
“It’s really important that people not go hungry,” she said, but it seems that some people take advantage of the free food.
Andrix pointed out that many residents of the county have no transportation, and public transit is not available to get them to jobs. So they are caught in this cycle of poverty.
“It’s no wonder they have to game the pantries,” she said.
Anyone with questions about where they can get food assistance can call United Way in Wood County at 419-352-2390.
