Goodrich – The downturn in the Michigan economy has left local food banks without enough food or money to help everyone in need.
‘People being out of work seems to be the biggest problem,? said Sister Joan May at St. Mark Church, 7296 Gale Road.
She said she knows it’s hard for some people to ask. ‘What I usually say to people is if they have a need, let us help and when you get on your feet you can help someone else.?
St. Mark is a satellite foodbank for Outreach East, 425 Genesee St. Davison, which helps residents in Goodrich, Davison and Otisville.
Jan Lebert, the Director for the Outreach East foodbank said the statistics for those in need are staggering.
‘Forty-nine percent of our clients are children, all the way up to age 19. For instance, last year we helped 418 people, and 210 of those people were 19 and under,? said Lebert.
Helping people with their utility bills, she said, is sometimes necessary. ‘When we have the funds, we help people with their Consumers Energy bills. Once they get a shut-off notice, I can help them by getting it pushed out seven days and then help by giving each family $150.
However, Lebert said because the demands are so great, donations of money are down right now.
‘We depend on the generosity of people, churches and businesses in the community,? said Lebert.
She said on Feb. 12, there will be a food drive at the Kroger grocery store in Davison.
‘Last time we did this kind of a food drive, we got three truck-beds full of food,? said Lebert.
Besides younger people, Lebert said she has been helping a lot of older people lately. ‘Seniors that are retired are probably more devasted than anyone else. The pensions they received in the 1960’s and 1970’s are not keeping up with the cost of heating, electricity and fuel for their cars.?
It was about 25 years ago when Lebert said her boys were young and she was in need, when someone came to her door at Christmas with a basket. ‘I was so thankful to get something that year,? she said. ‘That’s when I realized that I wanted to help others who are going through what I went through.?