GALESBURG — There is a need in Galesburg, which Capt. Lisa Thorson of the local branch of The Salvation Army is trying to fill. The organization’s food pantry has gone bare, and Thorson needs help restocking it.
With the arrival of summer, the use of the pantry has skyrocketed.
Normally, the pantry helps about 100 families in a month, but in June alone, 177 families were helped. Over 7,000 items were given out as a result.
Thorson is unsure of the sudden rise of over 75%, but thinks the fact kids are home on summer vacation from school is a factor.
“I just helped a woman with four kids,” Thorson said. “She was out of diapers and she got food at the same time. What little I had, she was so grateful for.”
While the pantry needs and accepts all nonperishable items, the biggest need is for side dish-type items. Rice, macaroni and cheese, pasta sauce, Hamburger Helper and pasta as well as canned goods and cereal are all needed.
“I don’t know what it is,” said Thorson. “It was August before we cleared out last year.”
“I just know that food security is such an issue. How are you going to make ends meet? Utility bills go up in the summer and the gas tax just went up. When a community is already struggling, it’s going to hit harder.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate for Knox County is 18.1%, with over 8,000 people living below the poverty line. The hardest-hit group is women ages 25 to 34 followed by women ages 18 to 24.
Several local businesses have started to attempt to help. First Mid Bank & Trust, 101 E. Main St., has started accepting donations, which inspired Dustin Carley, owner of The Whiskey Barrel, 325 E. Main St., to help as well.
Throughout this weekend, The Whiskey Barrel is offering 20% off for anyone bringing a donation for The Salvation Army food pantry.
But it is not enough.
The overwhelming majority of The Salvation Army’s funds come from the Christmastime tradition of the Red Kettle drive. The 2018 drive came up $8,000 short of its $100,000 goal. The next fundraiser is a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s from 8 to 10 a.m. July 20, which was planned to raise money for The Salvation Army’s world service missionary program, but will likely instead go toward the food pantry.
“I haven’t had to turn anyone away yet, but the pickings are slim,” Thorson said. “The need is more. We are helping more and more people. The need is just so much more. What am I going to do when it’s totally bare?”
Those wishing to help can drop off donations of food or money at The Salvation Army Community Center, 510 N. Kellogg St. in Galesburg, or can contact Thorson at (309) 342-9168.
Talbot Fisher is weekend reporter for The Register-Mail. Contact him at talbotefisher16@gmail.com; follow him on twitter at @TalbotFisher16.
