ThisWeek CW 08/25/2011
Demand at the Canal Winchester Food Pantry has never been higher, prompting Canal Winchester Human Services to take over administration of the pantry and a search for larger accommodations.
“You wouldn’t think there is such need in such a small town, but our numbers have increased from an average of 30 families a week up to 50 in the past six months,” food pantry director Lisa Zurbriggen said.
The summer months are particularly difficult for the pantry because children are not in school, where those in need can receive a free school lunch, according to Human Services director Penny Miller.
“If you talk to the schools, 30 percent of our students are eligible for free lunch,” she said. “It used to be that pantry recipients were only people out of work and possibly on welfare, but a lot of people now that come to us have one or both parents employed but they just can’t make ends meet.”
The boards of directors for both the food pantry and human services believe that a shared facility, which acts as a one-stop-shop for meeting all of their clients’ service needs, will be a great benefit to the community, according to Human Services board member John Bender.
David’s United Church of Christ, at 80 W. Columbus St., serves as the current location of the food pantry, which is where several high school students started it in 1974 as a Sunday school project; Human Services operates primarily out of Miller’s home office on South Trine Street.
“I’m concerned about the cost and that’s what we have to try and nail down,” Bender said. “We want to make sure that when (the food pantry) transitions to Human Services and a new location that it continues to do well.”
The food pantry is not currently considered a 501(c)(3) organization. H owever, moving it under the Human Services umbrella would provide that status and additional funding options. According to Miller, the transition will not be completed until a financial plan is in place that includes the costs of relocating the food pantry.
“It’s going to be hard because (the food pantry) and (Human Services) have never had to pay rent or utilities before,” Miller said. “I’m currently working on figuring out how to secure $30,000 to $50,000 for first year’s running costs. We don’t have that, so I’m applying for grants to try and find funding.
“We’ve narrowed our search for a location down, but we can’t commit to a space until we have the financial backing to support it,” she said.
Zurbriggen is hopeful that the process can be completed prior to the busy holiday season.
“We’d really like to be in a new place by this fall,” she said. “If not, we’ll have to wait until spring because of the holidays. This is a big move and a huge undertaking, so we have to make the right decisions – something that’s the right size and handicap-accessible. Since both organizations serve many of the same folks, it will be so nice for them to do everything in one place.”
The next food drive event is the annual Football for Food Night at the Canal Winchester home varsity football game on Sept. 9. Donations will be accepted in exchange for admission.
“We’re really short on supplies right now because our numbers are up, but donations are down,” Zurbriggen said. “Of course, we take donations of food and money, but we also really appreciate donations of fresh produce from people who have extra from their gardens – we focus on nutrition so this helps out a lot.”
Donations to the food pantry can be made at David’s United Church of Christ or by calling 614-464-6811.