LUMBERTON — The Robeson County Church and Community Center is hungry for some donated food to get onto the plates of needy families for the Christmas holiday.
Darlene Jacobs, the executive director of the center, said this week that the center’s pantry was almost empty before 378 canned and dry goods were donated by Lumberton Junior High School, where students were encouraged to bring in at least three canned goods.
The pantry assists nearly 100,000 people a year, which means an average of 50 to 60 boxes of food exit the doors each day. That number traditionally increases to about 70 boxes a day during Christmas.
“It’s become a struggle,” said Darlene Jacobs, executive director of the center. “We had to buy $6,000 worth of food because of the increase in demand.”
She said the poor economy has been a double whammy — increasing demand, but also meaning fewer people able to donate.
Jacobs said that the center has come to depend on three local industries — Campbell’s Soup, which donates 2,000 pounds of a month; Mt. Aire Farms, which donates 1,600 pounds of chicken each month; and Nash Finch, a frequent contributor of an array of food items.
“We get donations from churches, individuals and community organizations,” she said. “We are still having a great need for more donations.”
She said the center has sent out notices and contacted churches asking for contributions.
“It’s a combination of efforts by the media and churches to keep the banner raised about the need and the issue of hunger in our county and across North Carolina,” Jacobs said.
The center also works to put the merry in Christmas in other ways.
On Thursday, it will begin taking applications for its Brighter Christmas Program. The program provides donated toys to needy families for Christmas presents. Campbell’s Soup donates roughly 100 bicycles each year.
“Last year we were able to help about 300 families,” Jacobs said. “We have the same expectation this year.”
An applicant to the program must provide documents such as a picture I.D. and birth certificates for children. A point system established by a team of community members, ranging from business people, community representatives and educators, is used to establish priority.
“We try to touch the racial and economic aspect by being diverse,” she said.
Jacobs expects nearly 500 applicants for the program. She said that when the toys run out, she will try to match the remaining applicants with sponsor families.
“People donate because it is the right thing to do,” Jacobs said. “Even though Robeson County faces a lot of challenges, people are giving. In some situations it could very well be you or me that is in need. I just believe in the generosity and kindness of folks to help those in need.”
I will agree with you on some of the last comment..The food stamp issue is crazy..I know a family with 4 kids getting food stamps but they have 6 horses outside in a fence..I can only think that I am feeding the kids, but how are they able to feed those horses?? I had someone tell me one time that if I wanted any ice cream, steaks or anything from the grocery store to let them know, and they would get me anything I wanted on their stamp card. I said NO..
You are so negative..You are gonna suffer before you die..I don't know you and I'm sure that is good for me but I bet you have never done anything good in your community..I have been out there on the streets and seen the needy and helped provide meals for those that are hungry..
But Hey, dont worry about offending me Bro, Im just out there doing what God would have me to do, and if you don't straighten up, when you stand before GOD, HE might just say, "DEPART FROM ME FOR I NEVER KNEW YOU"..
Are you sure God wants you to perpetuate this lifestyle chosen by some? Look, God created our bodies with a human mechanism that requires food to survive, He made us this way, soooo that being said, one has to work to obtain food, right? If food is not put in our bodies after so many days we die. Again, God made it this way. If he didn't want us to work so we could buy food or GROW(work) our own food, he would have made our bodies to be able to survive without food. BUT HE DIDN'T, did he?
So ask yourself, better yet, ask God if this is what he wants of the people he created, to sit back and allow another man to feed them.
I think he wants a man to work and feed himself.
Disclaimer again.... I'm not talking about sick, old,or disabled... OK? They have or should have friends, church, and or family......
Since you need to make yourself feel good about YOU, go find a homeless person, who is really hungry(cause he doesn't qualify for welfare) and feed him. All other are recieving foodstamps.
The only true hungry people are the homeless. Nearly 100% are men, who can't "make a baby" to get all the freebies.
All the others getting free canned goods donated here in the story, will just be able to save their foodstamps and sell them later for money....
If you want to do something to make you feel good about yourself, find a nice home around town with two or three cars in the driveway and leave a "Thankyou" note to them for all the taxes they pay thruout the year. Which fund and feed the needy around here.
You are welcome in advance, Ross.