Column

We've been thankful; now let's be generous

By C.T. BOWEN, Editor of Editorials
Published December 2, 2007

The canned goods inventory at the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank mirrors the personal finances of the people being served - nearly gone.

Approximately 160 churches and agencies in Pasco and three other counties receive staples from the food bank to hand out at their own pantries. Food coming through the doors of the bank and going back out in boxes will reach 3.8-million pounds this year, a one-third increase. Still, the supply is thin and pantries are seeing more customers, as much as a 50 percent increase in some cases.

It's easy to see why. The price of regular unleaded gasoline is hovering near $3.10 a gallon. The slowing economy has pushed some service industry workers into unemployment. Pasco recently had the dubious distinction of leading the Tampa Bay area foreclosure rate at one case for every 166 homeowners, according to the private firm RealtyTrac.

And now that it is the holiday season people worried about paying the rent will worry about stretching their limited dollars even further trying to assure there is something under the tree on Christmas morning.

One of the people who wants to help meet that need is Bob Loring of East Pasco Toys for Tots. On the eve of the charity's combined toy drive with the U.S. Postal Service, Loring fretted the ability to serve the 1,500 registered families expecting assistance.

"I'm worried about everything," said Loring ticking off the price of gas, the souring economy and the lead-contaminated toys produced in China as his top concerns.

There are similar fears in west Pasco. Nearly half of the gift requests on the Salvation Army's angel tree at Gulfview Square Mall remained there as of Thursday afternoon. That is 300 kids without presents.

The people traditionally filling these requests have their own financial considerations like gas, mortgage payments and insurance costs. People are cutting back and being more selective about their giving.

The United Way of Pasco says the volume of calls to the 211 emergency help line is up 250 a week over the same time a year ago. The system was new in 2006 so the growth may not be an exclusive indication of greater need in the community, but 211 systems in other Tampa Bay area counties also report increased volume.

The typical caller in Pasco is seeking financial help. They need assistance with the utilities. They are seeking affordable child care. They, too, are pinched by gas prices and they are worried about a potential foreclosure.

"We hear all the time, 'I don't know how it got this bad,'" said Susan Arnett, executive director of the United Way.

Some people make poor spending choices, others don't plan or don't know how to manage their finances and some regrettably use credit cards to subsidize their basic needs.

But they still need to eat. At the food bank in Land O'Lakes, you're in luck of you like Cheerios. Cereal and snacks are not a problem. There is a lot of kitty litter, too.

Canned vegetables and fruits, tomato sauce and peanut butter are a different story. The pantries are being rationed. No more than three cases, or 150 canned goods, each. Federal food distribution rules prohibit hoarding.

Friday morning, the food bank staff prepared to restock in anticipation of the pantries returning Monday morning to replenish their own inventories. The pallet of canned goods available to pantries contained just 51/2 cases of food.

"It's a sad supply right now," said Suzanne Isacc, the operations manager.

It's been 10 days since most of us kicked off the holiday season by giving thanks for having plenty to eat. If you haven't done so yet, it is an opportune time to kick off a personal season of giving.

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 20:58:52]