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Food requests increase
Many area individuals and families just getting by financially prior to the onset the current economic slowdown are facing even harder times now as evidenced by an increase in requests for emergency food aid.
Fairfax County reported about a 30-percent increase from fiscal year 2006 to 2007 in the number of calls received by county agencies and private groups from individuals seeking help feeding themselves and their families.
Roxanne Rice, executive director of the Fairfax-based non-profit Food for Others said her organization has been working harder in recent months to fill an ever-increasing number of food requests.
Food for Others supplies about 2 million pounds of food per year to needy individuals and families primarily in Fairfax County.
“More people are coming to us,” Rice said. “We saw a 15-percent increase in clients who came to our food warehouse in Merrifield in fiscal year 2007, which ended June 30.”
“In the first six months of fiscal year 2008, we saw another 15-percent increase,” she said.
The previous time there has been a similar spike in food requests was after Sept. 11, 2001, Rice said.
“We’re certainly seeing a large increase now,” she said.
Rice said her organization does not survey its clients, so she does not know how they came into financial hardship to the extent they can no longer purchase food on their own.
“I assume it’s because of the situation with the economy,” she said. “Our clients are also experiencing increasing costs for food and fuel.”
“At the same time we see an increase in food prices, we see a decrease in the support we’re receiving from the federal government from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s TEFAP program.”
The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides food to the states, which in turn makes it available to eligible households and selected local agencies, usually food banks, which in turn, distribute the food to soup kitchens and food pantries that directly serve the public.
While private donations of food and money remain strong for the most part, according to Rice and representatives of other food distribution agencies, donations are inconsistent, with sizable deficits usually occurring during the summer months.
Amy Green, director of volunteers for FACETS (Fairfax Area Christian Emergency & Transitional Services, Inc.), said her organization has instituted an “Adopt a Month” program in which individuals, groups, companies and corporations can schedule one month during the year in which to organize food drives and donations for FACETS.
“That’s what has been keeping us going as far as food goes, especially,” said Green, noting that donations have become more consistent and predictable under the new program.
Some area philanthropic organizations are also turning their attention to the issue of hunger in Northern Virginia.
A group called Giving Circle of HOPE held a fund raiser on Friday, April 4, at St. John Neumann Church in Reston with all proceeds going to Food for Others.
“In total we raised $17,000,” said Reston resident Linda Strup of Giving Circle of HOPE. “We drew guests for this event from all over Fairfax County.”
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