CONNEAUT — The Conneaut Food Pantry is planning a series of events designed to put meals on the tables of needy people in the Conneaut area during the holiday season — and beyond.
For unknown reasons, donations to the Food Pantry have been trending down over the past few years, said Deborah Newcomb, executive director of the Conneaut Human Resources Center, the pantry's home for many years. One year ago, a publicity campaign was launched with good results.
"Last year we made a plea and people came through big time," Newcomb said. "It really helped stock our shelves."
Starting next week, officials again plan to share the pantry's mission in a variety of ways. On Monday night, a telethon will air on the city's local government access channel immediately following the City Council meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. Renea Roach, pantry director, and show host Pat Williams will take calls and accept donations.
Roach said she also plans to make an appearance on the cable access channel's morning chat show to discuss the pantry.
The need for food assistance is more acute than ever, Roach said. On average, between 270 and 300 people rely on the Conneaut Food Pantry for three days' of provisions each month.
While plenty of families benefit from the pantry, more single people are seeking help than in the past, Newcomb said, attributing the increase in part to cuts in assistance programs geared toward individuals.
The number of senior citizens in need is climbing, too, Roach said.
Recently, the pantry helped a couple in their 80s who were homeless and living in their car. Senior citizens are proud and generally are loathe to ask for help, Roach said.
"If they ask (for help), you know they need it," she said.
Roach conducts interviews with each pantry client, and through those discussions has learned many have served time behind bars and cannot get a job.
"I see a lot of felons, and it's hard for them to find work in this area," she said.
Newcomb also said the cost of housing cuts deeply into household budgets.
"We're seeing an average of 50 percent of their income" put into housing expenses, she said.
To help expand the pantry's offerings, a garden is taking root behind the CHRC that will provide fresh, seasonal food. Also, a monthly produce giveaway gives people a chance to supplement their diets with healthier foods, such as vegetables and bread. Between 700 and 1,000 people participate in the produce program each month, Newcomb said.
The Conneaut Food Pantry is the second largest in Ashtabula County. It contracts with the Country Neighbor Program, which in turn opens the door to the USDA Product Food Purchase program and the Cleveland Food Bank.
"We also have a very good relationship with the Conneaut Area Ministerial Association," Newcomb said.
Clients must provide proof of residency within the Conneaut Food Pantry service area, which includes Conneaut, Kingsville, North Kingsville and parts of Sheffield, Monroe, Kingsville and Dorset townships, Roach said.
Roach also oversees the CHRC's emergency assistance program, which helps people prepare for employment by providing vouchers for work clothes and shoes as well as gas cards to aid with job travel expenses.
People may contribute non-perishable food items or cash to the pantry. Monetary donations stretch further, thanks to special deals the Food Pantry gets from local merchants, Roach said.
"For every $10 we receive, we can purchase $30 worth of food," she said.
Roach, who has been in charge of the local pantry for 11 years, admits it gets "discouraging" to see no end in sight to the hunger problem. The vast majority of pantry clients are people who are employed and willing to work but not earning enough to meet their needs.
"The working poor," Roach said. "They're existing, not living."
