Too many people in the community struggle to put food on the table, which is unfortunate.
So, help from other sources is invaluable in making ends meet.
Local food banks such as Love Chapel, the Columbus Salvation Army and the Community Center of Hope are three options for county residents, and they provide valuable assistance. In fact, they are serving a record number of people.
Love Chapel’s food pantry has been serving about 1,250 households monthly since June, representing an increase of about 7 percent from the start of the year. Comparatively, Love Chapel served 204 households monthly 15 years ago. In addition, Love Chapel’s free meal sites across the city draw about 80 clients a day — a record. The Salvation Army is serving a record 975 families monthly at its food pantry — 132 more than last year. The Brighter Days Housing emergency shelter typically operates at its capacity of 46 clients.
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As the numbers illustrate, the need is great.
Donating food to any or all of these food banks is a great way to help other community residents, but there are other ways to help as well. One, for example, is the annual Pack-a-Patrol Car effort.
Non-perishable food and other items will be accepted through Nov. 15. People can place their donations in containers in the lobby of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, and collection boxes at the county courthouse and the county government building.
Local residents should consider supporting one or more of these efforts to help those who struggle to put food on the table. No one should go hungry, especially when resources are available to meet the need. But, those resources depend on help from the community.
