When I returned to Niles four years ago after a 20 year absence I was shocked to discover what a huge problem hunger and food insufficiency is in our area. Our small area matches the national statistics where this pressing issue is concerned. One out of every 6 local children in Berrien and Cass Counties goes to bed hungry each night. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities also have a greater risk of food insufficiency. Often it comes down to a choice between prescription medication and food because they cannot afford both. Many individuals and families are working full time yet still need assistance with food.

Last winter with the extreme cold this area experienced, heating bills soared and many had to choose between heating their home and having food and I have heard personal stories of desperation that occurred, including one where an elderly couple was found eating cat good because that is all they had in the house and they couldn’t pay both their fuel bill and buy food.

This is unacceptable on many levels and I for one am outraged that situations like this are becoming more common every day. No one should have to suffer from a lack of food and no one should be judged for needing help with food.

Our local food pantries are in dire straits. Their shelves are empty. And I mean EMPTY. They have nothing in storage. I know of one who had to cut the number of days they are open and one who had to close temporarily because they had nothing to give. For those served by food pantries the box of food they get can literally mean the difference between eating and not eating.

Food is a basic necessity. We all need it for survival. Without nutrition children become lethargic, have a hard time learning, staying awake in school and can’t develop properly. Whether we are talking about children or adults, our bodies need fuel to function. That is just a fact.

Two years ago I started the Just One More program where shoppers are encouraged to buy “just one more” item when they buy groceries and donate it. There is a collection bin at the Niles Save a Lot for Just One More that helps all the local food pantries and one at Martin’s Supermarket in Niles that donates to the Christian Services Center. Donations are down and the need for food is up.

This is a wonderful community where I have witnessed people coming together to help others in times of crisis and need. So, I would like to call on our community to help make sure no one in our area goes to bed hungry.

I am extending a Call to Action to Help Feed Our Community and encouraging people to get involved. It’s not hard and it doesn’t take a lot of time. Here are some easy things you can do:

If you are on Facebook please like the Just One More Niles page. Information about food drives, collection sites and relevant information is posted here. I also welcome similar postings on the page from others. If you know of a food drive please post it. Even if you are not in a position to donate, helping to spread the word helps a lot.

Share the Facebook page with your friends as well to help spread the word.

If you belong to a Church or other house of worship and do not have a collection bin please ask what needs to happen so you can offer one. I can provide a bin as well as pick up. It doesn’t matter if it gets filled once a week or once every six months, it all helps.

If you own a business that sells nonperishable food items, please consider placing a collection bin by your cash register area. Again, I will provide pick up.

If you belong to an organization that meets regularly such as the Rotary or the Optimists consider asking everyone to bring a canned good to your meetings.

If you belong to a group like the scouts or an athletic team consider talking to one of the local grocery stores about sponsoring a food drive.

Please keep in mind that the need is year-long not just during the holidays. Food pantries quickly become depleted early in the New Year.

If you would like to make a financial donation or drop off food you collected there is a list of local food pantries included in this article.

If you are moving and cleaning out your kitchen consider donating your non-perishable items.

Many people think if they cannot donate an entire cart full of food they can’t be of any help and this is simply not true. If everyone bought just one more item when they shop it would quickly add up and our local food pantry shelves would be full.

All food collected stays local and will be divided equally between the following food pantries:

• The Niles Salvation Army

• Christian Services Center

• Mt Calvary Food Pantry

• Redbud Area Ministries

• Helping Hands Ministries

 

Kelly Connell is the creator of Just One More, a local effort to collect non-perishable food items for local food pantries.