Early on a Tuesday afternoon, with a steady stream of people coming in for food, shelves at the Salvation Army in Central Ohio's Near East Side pantry ought to be full.
But inventory is frighteningly low — there's nary a jar of peanut butter or can of tuna to offer — and the Salvation Army is asking the public for help.
"We desperately need more food," said Maj. Debra Ashcraft, an area coordinator.
The organization, which operates five pantries in Franklin County, is struggling under high demand and dwindling donations. "In 2018, we provided more than 250,000 meals," Ashcraft said. "When we compare that to 2017, that's like a 14% increase."
Though reasons for the jump aren't entirely clear, Ashcraft said the Salvation Army is serving more people who work, sometimes at two or three jobs. Rents in the Columbus area have soared. And even modest wage increases can suddenly render families ineligible for public assistance such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.
"In Franklin County, there's a lot of wealth, but also a lot of poverty," Ashcraft said. "They are struggling to make ends meet."
At the same time, the Salvation Army has seen dips in its holiday fundraising. The iconic Red Kettle campaigns and other Christmas efforts typically account for around 70% of all donations received and they sustain the year-round programs that help thousands of needy families with food, housing, job services and more.
Reduced contributions leave the organization with less money to buy food from the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. The food bank passes along fresh produce at little to no cost, but pantries pay the food bank for other items such as canned goods and other nonperishables.
"They're like a Sam's Club, and we're a customer," said Kristin Hampton-Harmon, a Salvation Army spokeswoman. "We have to purchase it. We're doing the S.O.S., because this is serious."
South Side resident Melissa Taylor shopped Tuesday at the Salvation Army pantry inside its East Main Street worship and service center. She made the most of the reduced protein offerings by taking home a frozen turkey. "I can make do," she said, by using the bird for several meals.
Taylor, 42, said she turns to the Salvation Army when she runs short on food, "because the people here are really, really nice. That matters."
Michael Gugel-Bryant, a caseworker for Salvation Army's material-assistance programs, shook his head as he looked around a pantry storage room. There were fresh onions, squash and sweet potatoes, and not much else. He expected the last of the canned fruit to be gone soon.
"We have a little food wheel that we use," Gugel-Bryant said, explaining that pantry customers follow the color-coded cards as they choose a certain number of items from each section.
"When next week rolls around," he said, "portions of the plate are going to be missing."
To donate to the Salvation Army, go to co.salvationarmy.org, email Shelley Brown-Kujkowski at shelley.brown@use.salvationarmy.org or call 614-221-6561. Most-needed items include peanut butter, canned meats, and canned fruits and vegetables.
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