Food pantry donations needed immediately to stay open

The cupboards are bare and so are the freezers at the Harvest Deliverance Center Church's Food and Clothing Pantry in downtown Harrisburg.

In short, donations of food are down in recent months, which last Wednesday led to a first-time closing of the doors to the public. The shelves will have to be filled soon or the pantry may have to close, according to Stan Willis, one of the pantry's directors.

The shortage of commodities was clearly weighing heavily on the minds of volunteer workers Friday as they realize the importance of a food pantry in the community. Too many families in Harrisburg and the surrounding area rely on the pantry to help them get through tough times.

Willis said he welcomes food donations now more than ever before in an attempt to make some families' lives a little easier.

"Canned goods like green beans, just simple things like that helps," he said. "Anything in a can is very helpful, the things needed for meals. We try to pack the bags centered around meals, like a spaghetti dinner for instance. Meals families can take home and cook."

Pantry volunteer Donald Davis cut straight to the point.

"Breads and sweets don't make a meal," he said as he opened one empty freezer in disappointment. "We couldn't do it Wednesday. There wasn't enough food to go into the bags."

Davis typically helps pack and distribute approximately 140 bags of food each week, but the shortage meant the pantry couldn't fulfill its mission.

Willis concurred.

"We closed because we had no food," he said. "Our normal resources such as Walmart and Kroger try to help us, but we've seen hardly no produce at all. That's one area that's difficult. Sometimes, we might have some, next time not. We need produce and meat. Canned goods have become extremely difficult to obtain lately, too," he said. "We're not sure why. Maybe people aren't participating as much in food drives."

Willis explained that the pantry exists on what it can get from both public and private donations. In order for the pantry to continue to exist, more help is needed - and sooner than later.

"We have one gentleman who brings us a bunch of cereal when he can because he knows the kids like it. That's extremely helpful. The church supports the pantry, too. We're always trying to actively hook up with other agencies, always looking around for a way to get things done."

The food pantry located at 38 S. Vine St. in Harrisburg is normally open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays to provide support for community members. The church also operates its soup kitchen as part of the Emergency Food Program serving USDA commodities through the Illinois Department of Human Services.

The soup kitchen is open to those in need of food from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. It is closed on the first and third Fridays of each month.

Willis said a sampling of food items needed include: ground beef, chicken, turkey, bacon, cheese, fresh produce, canned goods of any kind, including green beans, corn, mixed vegetables, and fruit, as well as spaghetti noodles and pasta sauce.

For more information about arranging food donations, contact Willis at 618-252-0009.