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Food Pantry getting crowded By Caitlin Varley
Volume 91 Number 21 © 2009 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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The increase in the number of clients at Loveland Inter Faith Effort’s food pantry can be seen in the pantry’s file cabinet, which used to hold all the client files in just one drawer and now must stuff them into multiple drawers. There was almost a 24 percent increase in clients from 2007 to 2008 and a 17 percent increase in households, according to pantry Director Kathy Auger. That increase has carried on into 2009. There has been a 15 percent increase in clients and a 16 percent increase in households from the first six months of 2008 to the same period in 2009. Some months have been worse than others. January 2009 saw almost 500 clients and 173 households. This was a 34 percent increase in clients and a 44 percent increase in households from January 2008. Auger said the bigger increase was from 2007 to 2008, not 2008 to 2009, but the pantry is still serving the clients from 2008. “It is still increasing, but not at that terrible pace that we had,” Auger said. To accommodate the growing number of mouths to feed, Auger said there has been a real increase in donations. “It’s unbelievable,” Auger said. “We have had more food come in now than we’ve ever had before.” Volunteer Terri Carter said the clients are very grateful. Carter said she gets to know some of the regulars, but they are getting a lot more new people. She said a couple of months ago, a well-dressed woman came To receive assistance from any of the L.I.F.E. programs, a family or individual must meet the following requirements: • live within the Loveland School District • have income that falls within the TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) guidelines • provide a photo ID and proof of residence, such as a current utility or rent bill In addition, to qualify for the holiday programs, the individual or family must agree not to accept assistance from
FILE PHOTO
Loveland Brownie Troop 40189 donated more than 700 items to the Loveland LIFE Food Pantry as part of their Scavenger Hunt for Hunger campaign last fall. in who got choked up because she used to be able to volunteer and make donations. “Now she finds herself on the receiving end and it was really hard for her,” Carter said. Carter said she and the client had a great conversation about how the economy is really hitting everyone. “That’s why we all do what we can when we can because in this economy you never know when you may be the one who needs help,” she said. Auger said the demeanor of the regulars has not changed, but it is different for the new clients.
“I’ve had single men cry,” Auger said. “We’ve had people who are humiliated.” Carter said they used to see more elderly people who were on a fixed income. “This was probably something that was a long-term way of life for them,” Carter said. Carter said the pantry gets a lot of families. “Now we are getting more people who have been blindsided by the sudden loss of a job and really needing the pantry as a Band-Aid to get them over a tough time so they can get back on their feet,” Carter said. The pantry had to stop its
Who’s eligible
are enrolled. To apply for financial assistance, come to the food pantry during regular hours to complete the request form. Requests are generally processed within seven working days. Any monies provided are sent directly to the utility or landlord. Seniors living alone, with other seniors, or with children under the age of 18 are eligible for our additional senior services. (Information taken from www.lovelandinterfaith.org)
another gift program. To sign up for monthly grocery assistance, come to the food pantry during regular hours and complete the necessary paperwork. You are able to receive groceries at that visit. Sign-up for all holiday programs is conducted the last Saturday of September. Watch for holiday sign-up deadlines to ensure you and your family
CAITLIN VARLEY/STAFF
The shelves of the L.I.F.E. Food Pantry are kept full by donations from the Loveland community.
Fronk named new Miami administrator By Mary Dannemiller mdannemiller@communitypress.com
Larry Fronk has been named Miami Township’s new administrator, effective July 21. The former community development director and long-time Miami Township employee was named interim administrator in March when previous Administrator Dave Duckworth took the same job with Union Township.
“I’ve been very impressed with Larry stepping up the way he has,” said Miami Township Trustee Mary Makely Wolff. “He demonstratFronk ed the kind of leadership we want here. We’ve always been very proud of the way we do things and I think
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financial request program for about a year because they had no money, Auger said. They are able to grant some requests again, which means they can give a maximum of $100 to keep someone from being evicted or their energy from being cut off. Most of the food in the pantry comes from donations and food drives, Auger said. The pantry also uses the Free Store, where they can get food for much cheaper than market price. Sometimes she finds great items, like produce, completely free. “You just look at it as the icing on the cake of life,” Auger said.
Larry will continue along with the excellence we are looking for.” For his first big project as administrator, Trustees Ken Tracy and Karl Schultz asked Fronk to prepare an analysis of the township’s budget. “We’d like an evaluation of the current structure internally of what’s taking place, how dollars are being spent and how dollars could be saved to benefit the township,” Tracy said.
Fronk, who has a degree in public administration, said he was excited to tackle his new role as administrator. “Miami Township is a great organization with great people working with them so I’m excited to continue in the great direction in which we’re heading,” Fronk said. Fronk’s former position as community development director will remain empty with Fronk assuming most of those duties as well.