Wrap Up a Wish: Valley's food banks hungry for help

Published online on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009

Three large nonprofit organizations that feed the Valley's hungry are stretched these days -- and need help themselves.

The recession, job losses, drought and environmental restrictions have driven a drop in donations and a surge in demand for services from Community Food Bank in Fresno, Madera County Food Bank and FoodLink of Tulare County.

Many who have always helped these organizations are now asking for help, officials say.

Even workers who have kept their jobs are struggling with furloughs or pay cuts, said Dana Wilkie, Community Food Bank president and chief executive officer. Losing 10% to 20% of income "puts them substantially low. They just can't make it to the next paycheck."

As a result, the food banks are reporting requests for help that are up on average about one-third from last year.

Community Food Bank, which works with about 130 agencies to serve people in Fresno, Madera and Kings counties, for example, distributed 14 million pounds of food last year. This year, it's going to top 20 million. Madera County Food Bank, which distributes food to Madera, Chowchilla, Coarsegold, North Fork and Oakhurst residents, provided 720 emergency food boxes per month last year. This year, it's up to 1,345 boxes a month.

With the holiday season approaching, officials wonder how they will fulfill their normally high demands for Thanksgiving meals in the next two weeks and holiday meals in December.

Last year, Community Food Bank provided a holiday meal box to 7,200 families. Wilkie initially planned to provide boxes to 15,000 families this year. But now she is hoping to help nearly 20,000 families.

The Fresno Bee, in partnership with United Way of Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties, has published "Wrap Up a Wish" -- a series of articles about families, individuals and organizations with special needs. Bee readers have generously responded with cash and in-kind donations to make the holiday wishes come true.

This year, recognizing the critical role of the Valley's three major food banks, the series begins by highlighting the needs of Community Food Bank, Madera County Food Bank and FoodLink of Tulare County. Readers may help by giving $25, which will be shared by these organizations. Food donations are appreciated, but cash is far more effective.

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin said it is important to respond to the Valley's hunger needs. She attended one of the largest community outreach events, Convoy of Hope, on Nov. 7 at Computech Middle School in southwest Fresno. There, 80,000 pounds of packaged food and 80,000 pounds of fresh produce from Community Food Bank were distributed to 10,158 people in need.

"I saw families lined up as far as the eye could see -- people from all walks of life seeking help," she said. "We're seeing unparalleled things happening in our area. The people left with a feeling of hope."

Officials say they have never experienced so many people requesting help for the first time.

"We have families where maybe they've lost a job, or they have found something else and maybe it pays minimum wage," said Chris Burrows, development coordinator at FoodLink of Tulare County, which distributes food through partnerships with 80 agencies.

"Some are having to downsize and need to get help wherever possible. And some are families struggling with their mortgages -- and their homes could be the next thing to go."

The food banks also have seen donations decline.

For example, FoodLink of Tulare County, so far, received only about 75% of the food it usually collects with a trolley that travels to schools seeking donations from students and their families.

The Madera County Food Bank also sees the dip.

"People are hurting," said Judy Darnell, Madera County Food Bank program director. "They also don't have the means to send money to the food bank or charities because it takes all their income to live on right now. We understand; it's just a sign of the times."

Community Food Bank has worked in recent months to provide federal disaster drought relief to Valley communities, including San Joaquin, Huron, Firebaugh and Mendota, where farmers have fallowed thousands of acres because they lack water.

Community Food Bank and partners distributed about six million pounds of food to about 30,000 people a month in need in the disaster drought relief program. Wilkie said efforts are in the works so the program will return in early December.

"People in our position have a responsibility to get as much help out to people," Burrows said. "They're there because they need to be there. They're not there looking for a handout. These are very proud people. I wish there was not a need for food banks, but I'm glad we're here."