The rising cost of groceries and gasoline are driving more families to the Fergus Falls Community Food Shelf. Donations have jumped since fall, but Bill Devitt, food shelfpresident, is concerned it might not be enough to keep up with the demand.
“Since October, there has been an onslaught of people seeking help,” he said. “The number of clients we’re seeing is increasing. We were having only 13 to 15 families a day. Last Friday (Nov. 16), we served 29 families and gave away 2,400 pounds of food. The Wednesday before, we served 31 families and gave 2,200 pounds of food.”
The answer to why lies in the economy and cost of living, Devitt said.
“Groceries have gone up — milk, eggs and bread — and the cost of gas. We usually see a few more (clients) in the fall. I don’t recall seeing an increase like we’ve been seeing.”
On the positive side, donations have increased.
“Our donations have gone way up” now that fall is here, Devitt said. “During the summer months, donations slack off considerably. I think people just get involved with other things and don’t think about the food shelf. In the fall the schools and churches get kids thinking about it.”
Located at 1512 N 1st Ave., the Food Shelf is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1-4 p.m. Besides Fergus Falls, it serves Dalton, Underwood, Maine, Erhard, Elizabeth and the Otter Tail side of Rothsay. Much of its food comes from donations. With monetary donations, Food Shelf personnel can buy perishables and surplus food at a better rate from the North Country Food Bank in Crookston.
With the holidays approaching, turkeys and canned hams are especially welcome. The shelf has purchased some turkeys, but more are needed.
“We usually depend on donations of turkeys,” Devitt said, “but we haven’t had as many this year.”
December is traditionally a good month for donations, and Devitt is confident there will be enough to go around. As a last resort the shelf might have to cut back on the amount of items given. Things such as soap and other non-food items would be the first to go.
Food and cash donations can be delivered to the shelf during regular hours. Financial donations can be mailed to Fergus Falls Community Food Shelf, P.O. Box 86, Fergus Falls, Minn., 56538.
Those in need of food can come when the shelf is open. The number and ages of people in the household are required, but paperwork and financial verification are not. For more information, contact, 739-2971. It is not necessary to have children to utilize the shelf.
