A decrease in food donations coupled with the salmonella-related recall has left the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeastern Ohio struggling to feed thousands
of people.
The Food Bank had to pull 25 brands of food made with peanuts because of a national salmonella recall, food bank manager Marilyn Sloan said.
We've had to call all the food pantries and soup kitchens that might have received these recalled items and then given them to their clients
she said.
Some of those recalled items include Clif Bars, Special K bars, Kashi cookies and even ice cream.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating potential salmonella contamination at Peanut Corporation of America plant in Georgia. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, according to the Associated Press.
The food bank alerted its 230 member food pantries and soup kitchens about the recall through letters and phone calls, but people still might have received a recalled item, Sloan said.
We create food baskets throughout the year before we even knew about the recall she said.
Even without the salmonella recall, Sloan said the food bank has seen an increased demand from families looking for assistance, but the donations haven't matched that need.
With the economic downturn
the people that used to be able to help us cannot because they are having their own troubles
she said.
The food bank also is seeing first time clients who have never needed assistance before, because with the rising costs of rent, utilities and fuel, families are living from week to week, she said.
The food bank also estimated 3,500 people would receive their last unemployment check this month, which could mean they will rely on food pantries to get their groceries, Sloan said.
Last month, the food bank assisted more than 34,000 people in 10 counties across southeastern Ohio, a 1,200 jump from December, Sloan said.
With people's unemployment benefits running out and the ice storm
people are really struggling just to make basic ends meet
Sloan said.
The Food Bank especially needs cereal, soups, pastas and protein items along with monetary donations to help meet the increased demand, she said, adding that for every $10 donation, the food bank can feed
15 families.
People are really hurting right now and anything anyone could give would be a big help
she said.
jn149706@ohiou.edu
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