Food Drive

FOOD BOX PROGRAM SEES A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN REQUESTS FOR FOOD

Each food box provides 21 meals for a family, no matter the size. Not only do we provide the food, but we provide counseling, advocacy and referrals to help with other critical needs. We encourage families to utilize our food box program as we strongly feel it is important to keep the family together in their homes and not have parents bring their children to the Mission for meals. We also feel that if we can provide the food, along with counseling advocacy and referrals, we can keep people living in a safe, healthy environment, thus eliminating homelessness.

One of our current growing needs we are faciing is the escalating requests for food boxes from members of the community. In 2009, we experienced a 30% increase in the number of requests for bood boxes over 2008. In 2010, we expereinced an addtional 23% increase in requests.

In 2011 we saw an alarming 132% increase in food box requests over 2010! These were from individuals and families and represented 36,645 meals provided from the program. We continue to see larger families coming for assistance, more often. During their interview process it is evident that they are economically stretched more than in the past. In January-May of 2012 we have already provided 30,513 meals to 1,453 individuals, representing 498 households which is a 307% increase! The common theme from people coming to us for this assistance has been the increased cost of living –“too much month at the end of the money”. This trend continues to escalate. Some people for the first time in their lives had to choose between paying their utility bills, putting gas in their vehicle or feeding their families.

Tony is a single dad with four children. “It is a blessing from God, that during hard times and when I get low on food to know that I can come to the Rescue Mission and they will help me with a food box. I don’t know how I would provide for my kids if it wasn’t for the food pantry program.”

YOU CAN HELP BY INITIATING A FOOD BOX DRIVE AT YOUR CHURCH, PLACE OF BUSINESS, OR CIVIC GROUP. THIS IS A GREAT PROJECTS FOR YOUTH GROUPS, BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS, SCHOOLS...

For more information, please contact Debi Kenyon, Director of Development at 735-1645 x 115 or debi.kenyon@uticamission.org.