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Food pantries low headed into the holidays
Published November 17, 2009
ANGLETON — A shortage of goods at area food pantries has those who run them concerned it’s going to be a difficult holiday season, and predictions the economy will remain sluggish don’t brighten things up.
“This year our food pantry has been hit considerably harder than in the past,” St. Thomas Center Director Mildred Wauson said. “There are a lot of people out of work now who are having a hard time making ends meet. Our shelves get empty pretty quick.”
The story is the same at Brazosport Cares in Freeport and the Food Basket in Clute.
“There’s a big need,” said Lisa Doyle with Brazosport Cares. “We’re seeing more people coming in each week who tell us they’ve never been in a layoff before.”
The Love of Christ Food Pantry, at 301 S. Columbia Drive in West Columbia, also serves the hungry from 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
A national unemployment rate of more than 10 percent is one of the largest factors in the current economic downturn, and it’s likely to continue through the holidays and beyond, said Robert Worley, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County. Some experts say the economy hasn’t yet hit bottom, Worley said.
“They’re saying it’s going to get worse before it gets better, and the main problem now is unemployment,” he said. “When unemployment starts turning around, we’ll start seeing the economy improve.”
STAYING IN DRIVES
That’s not good news, Food Basket founder Ginny Jordan said.
“We’ve been swamped,” Jordan said. “We’re working hard to get food ready and it seems every time we open, we have 10 new people come in.”
The Food Basket is open from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, and volunteers are on-site to take donations on Fridays. Food may be dropped off at 1 Wesley Drive in Clute or be given to any area holiday food drive, Jordan said.
Those drives are keeping food pantries stocked, she said. A virulent flu season has decreased the number of volunteers available, so the Food Basket needs people. The center needs all items, but canned meats and canned vegetables more that others.
The flu has hit Angleton as well, and that makes the need more critical at the St. Thomas Center’s community food pantry, Wauson said.
“We’re in need of everything,” she said. “We’re extremely low on soups and crackers — things that could help those who are sick. We’re also very low on all canned food and we have freezers and refrigerators that need stocking. We need all kinds of nonperishable items. We’re very low on canned meats and entrees, like spaghetti.”
Open to accept donations Monday through Thursday at 415 Erskine, the center also needs personal hygiene goods, Wauson said. Brazosport Cares needs “any type of food donation” people have to give, Doyle said.
Cereal, oatmeal, breakfast items, peanut butter and canned vegetables are welcome at the center, at 916 N. Gulf Blvd. in Freeport.
“We would be very grateful for anything,” Doyle said.
HOLIDAY HELP
With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up fast, officials at all the facilities are concerned.
“A lot of people have people coming to visit them,” Doyle said. “Instead of it just being themselves, they have family coming in. We’re seeing more grandparents with their grandchildren living with them. They’ve gone from just getting by on Social Security to having to provide for a family again.”
Monetary donations help since they allow pantries to immediately purchase whatever items are needed, Jordan said. Demand for food and necessities increase during the holidays and food drives help, she said.
“We’re pleased with the quality of food and the drives,” she said. “There’s just quite a few people coming through.”
Wauson encourages schools, businesses, service organizations and individuals to have collections and hopes the spirit of giving will translate to area kitchens.
“It really makes a big difference,” Wauson said. “Most of our families have children and times are rough for them. They’re having a hard time keeping food on the table, and during the holidays, the kids are out of school and home for all their meals. Any amount will help, and we will most graciously accept it.”
John Lowman covers Brazoria County for The Facts. Contact him at 979-849-8581.
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FEEDING THE HUNGRY
For food assistance in your area, or to donate, visit or call:
BRAZOSPORT CARES
916 N. Gulf Blvd., Freeport
Open 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday
Call: (979) 239-1225
ST. THOMAS CENTER
415 S. Erskine St., Angleton
Open 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday and Thursday
Call: (979) 849-9458
THE FOOD BASKET
1 Wesley Drive, Clute
Open 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday and Saturday
Call: (979) 388-0024
LOVE OF CHRIST FOOD PANTRY
301 S. Columbia Drive, W.C.
Open 9 a.m. to noon Thursday
Call: (979) 345-7275
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