Local food banks say they’re fielding more requests for help

Morgan City area food banks and pantries are experiencing a growing number of requests for food this year because of rising unemployment.
Second Harvest Food Bank serves the St. Mary Parish community by supplying food for families in need.
There are three local partner agencies in the Tri-City area.
Pilgrim Grove Baptist Church and St. John Lodge No. 11 are in Morgan City. Calumet Baptist Church is an agency located in Patterson.
“Agencies are seeing an increase of approximately 15-20 families per month on average,” said Second Harvest Food Bank Communications and Public Relations Specialist Terri Kaupp.
St. John Lodge No. 11 distributes food once a month, on the fourth Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“It used to be 45 to 50 people,” said Jerome Guidry, one of the Second Harvest Food Bank coordinators at St. John Lodge No. 11.
Numbers increased in October, when 60 people showed up. In November, the lodge coordinator saw as many as 89 people.
The process for securing food from the Second Harvest Food Bank partner agency is to bring paperwork stating who lives in the home, proof of address, Social Security number, birth certificate or an identification card or proof that you are already approved for Social Security and food stamps. Then you can pick up food.
Required paperwork can be verified on the day of pick up.
St. Mary Outreach normally, sees 400 to 450 individuals a month, said St. Mary Outreach Executive Director Brenda Liner. In July, numbers increased to 729 and November numbers were at 765.
Liner expects to see close to 900 people in December.
There is also an increase during the holiday months due to screening for Toys for Tots.
“We’re a temporary emergency service, not a monthly service,” Liner said. “So the emergency has to be something that comes up unexpectedly, a new baby, death in the family, loss of hours, or loss of job.”
Paperwork is required to justify the circumstance of need. Applicants must also bring in proof of income and bills for the month.
St. Mary Outreach is a part of the United Way agency. In October, it celebrated 30 years of service to St. Mary Parish.
The organization will host its 29th annual Food for Families food drive Tuesday, Dec. 8. It starts at 6 a.m. and ends around 8 p.m.
In order to service the needs of Tri-City neighbors seeking temporary emergency assistance, St. Mary Outreach is asking for donations of nonperishable food items.
Nonperishable food items are dry food, canned goods, condiments and canned meats. All food items are welcome, but there is a specific need for canned meats and soups.
Check expiration dates of donation items before dropping them off.
The drop-off location is Cannata’s in Morgan City.
The purpose of the food drive is “basically to stock our food pantry,” Liner said. “It’s the biggest food drive of the year.”
In addition to food, organizers need personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, diapers for babies and adults, formula, baby food and cereal.
St. Mary Outreach also assists with rent, utilities, and life sustaining medication when the funding is available.
“There are people that feel that they don’t qualify for the service, but you never know until you come in and talk to someone,” Liner said. “You might need help only one time.
“You’re on a fixed income and money is tight. One thing can throw you off, a medical expense, unexpected car repair, those little things can throw things off and that’s what we’re here for.”
St. Mary Outreach is open for clients Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Fridays, client hours are from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
No appointment is necessary. Service is provided on a walk-in basis.
For more information about the food drive, contact Brenda Liner at 985-385-0525.