When the cupboard grows bare
Hunger is a real problem for some Mid-Missourians
News Tribune
One unexpected crisis and a self-sufficient family may find itself needing help for the first time.
"We're only two paychecks away from poverty," said Marylyn DeFeo, volunteer executive director of the Samaritan Center.
Life-threatening health issues and job loss are the top two new threats to the stability of family finances. But rising costs in healthcare, utilities, gasoline, child care, housing, and groceries have stretched budgets thin.
When ends won't meet at the end of the month, food pantries can help fill the gap.
"We are seeing more families who have never been here before," said Terri Binkley, caseworker with The Salvation Army. Most are working, but their low income is just not making it anymore, she said.
"It's a different face of the poor -- not our usual recycling poor, (who follow) the family culture," DeFeo said.
Retired professionals, full-time state employees, military families and couples working three and four jobs fill the ranks of those needing assistance.
Cole and Boone counties may realize they can't always be recession-proof with recent impacts on the state employee and education employment bases, said Peggy Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Central Missouri Food Bank.
And some Mid-Missouri employers have reduced hours to avoid costly benefits, which leaves families often without medical and dental coverage, paid sick leave or full-time wages, DeFeo said.
Middle-aged professionals have lost their jobs and come to the Samaritan Center after they've sold their cars, drained their savings accounts and don't know what to do next, DeFeo said.
Kirkpatrick said, "It's demeaning to tell a stranger you are unable to feed your kids.
"When you're looking at a stack of bills -- rent, utilities and transportation must be paid for first," she added. "Then everything else slides, including food.
"You think we'll eat lots of peanut butter or macaroni and cheese or just eat less.
"The food pantry will stretch the budget."
Binkley added, "These are tough decisions, between food and medicine, utilities or gasoline.
"Many people haven't had to make those hard decisions before. They've been able to make it."
But it's not just physical help, sometimes clients need a smile and someone to talk with them not at them, said Renee, who benefits from the Samaritan Center.
Renee deals daily with permanent effects from a car accident. The Samaritan Center "helped me find myself. No matter how intelligent you are, things so overwhelming can happen that take a while to work through.
"I have a good mind and share what I have with others, but I can't make money off my gifts.
"I don't like being poor. But making it through a 24-hour day is a real juggling act.
"It's frustrating to not have a way to express yourself or contribute (in the way society expects).
"People aren't poor because they like it. And I dare anyone who thinks so to walk a mile in my shoes and then tell me I'm freeloading."
For Marie, a family dispute cut off her support network and forced her into bankruptcy. A full-time state employee, Marie also works a second part-time job, but her debts and bills leave little at the end of the month for food.
Many people with limited budgets simply do not eat when the money runs out.
Renee and Kim understand that reality. Between them they receive less than $1,000 from government disability checks.
For those applying for government assistance, the wait could be up to 60 days.
Connie works part-time and her husband owns his own business, so they do not qualify for government assistance and winter months can be financially stressful.
"What are they supposed to do for 60 days?" Connie asked. "Tell their kids it will be 30 days before we have supper?
"That may be why you see a lot of shoplifting up at Gerbes," Connie suggested. "You wonder if they're waiting for that approval letter."
In the last decade, welfare reform, the 1993 flood, and economic downturn in 2001 have affected the number of those in need, DeFeo said.
Local lay-offs may have long-lasting effects too, Binkley said.
The solution may come in part with an improved economy, but community leaders must take action now to create more jobs, DeFeo said.
Local aid groups have taken the step to help people in need to the next level.
Connie attends cooking classes and hopes some day to work as a cake decorator, she said.
Marie received assistance to create a budget. Now she hopes to be able to one day give back.
Kim shares his life's story with young people, hoping to deter them from the same path. A ninth-grade drop out, he has been in prison several times.
But he has found contentment in a new direction. Some day Kim would like to open a diner to use his culinary training.
Even in their circumstances, many clients want to give back as they are able, Binkley said. Some even give from their own food items to those they deem more needy, Kirkpatrick said.
"We look at a person holistically," DeFeo said. "We treat them with dignity and give them the tools to help themselves."
Kirkpatrick said, "When local people of faith minister, that's when lives are changed.
"So many times when people are going to pantries, they need hope -- that they can make it, that this hardship will not go on forever.
"We partner with churches because they were there before Welfare and will be there after this reform," she said. "They have the most impact to help people out of poverty."
Additional information: