Nearly out of food, Samaritan Center needs help

With food supplies being diverted to the Gulf Coast, some Mid-Missouri families could be in dire straits if a stepped-up local relief campaign isn't enacted soon, said Marylyn DeFeo, volunteer executive director of the Samaritan Center.

One-third of the food the Samaritan Center distributes comes from the Central Missouri Food Bank's Second Harvest drive. Another third is supplied by local givers and a final third is derived from federal commodities. (Currently, dried milk is the only federal commodity being supplied.)

It is the drop in Second Harvest supplies that has DeFeo deeply concerned.

"We recently learned through contact with the (food bank) that the quantity of food directed to our area will be reduced by 80 percent over the coming months as resources are diverted to the Gulf Coast," said DeFeo.

That 80 percent loss translates to $27,000 in monthly food lost to 1,300 low-income, Mid-Missouri families.

All the non-perishable food is being diverted, leaving only frozen foods to be parceled out.

"We have some cereal and some root beer," she said. "That's not enough to keep a family going."

DeFeo is making a special appeal to Mid-Missouri to make up the difference. Both cash and dropped-off groceries are welcome.

"This is going to be an ongoing thing," she said, adding she expects the shortages may last two to three months.

DeFeo said she's heard that both groceries stores and pantries in Mississippi and Louisiana are "wiped out." Warehouses have been emptied and many have been destroyed.

"We're not in good shape," she said. "This is the first time I've had real fear."

She said the high gas prices are placing additional pressure on families, squeezing income they normally spend on food.

The center tries to provide some gas subsidies to families -- to ensure they can make their way to work and doctor appointments in other cities -- but more help is needed.

She's also worried that families may have trouble coping with high winter heating bills.

"I've overspent my budget on utilities already," she said.

She said the majority of people who receive Samaritan Center services are working.

"Very, very few do not work. We service the working poor," she said.

People who want to learn more about the Samaritan Center can visit: www.midmosamaritan.org. Checks can be sent to: PO Box 1687, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Groceries can be dropped off at 1310 E. McCarty St. from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

If you visit during the afternoon, please knock at the building's side entrance.