Volunteers at the Lebanon Food Pantry, the second largest food pantry in Warren County, said demand for their help has risen steadily during the past four years.
Phyllis Wyatt, who runs the pantry at 190 New St., said that through November of this year, the pantry had served 4,477 families — or 15,119 individuals.
In the early part of the year, Wyatt said the pantry helped about 350 families each month. That number was up to 440 in November.
“If you look back to 2008 and 2009, it was 300 sometimes just 200 families per month,” Wyatt said. “The demand has definitely increased.”
The cupboards — apart from the neglected jelly section — remained well stocked Monday as new shipments of donations rolled in. Volunteers swarmed around filled shopping carts to dissect and sort their stock, but as a line began to form of those in need in the hallway of the Academy Building where the pantry is located, volunteers continued to fret about the pantry’s supplies.
“Working here is a good feeling, but it can be overwhelming,” said volunteer Jackie Potts. “We all got really worried last month because the stores were running dangerously low.”
Wyatt said the pantry has not yet felt the effects of the layoffs at Quad/Graphics, which announced the closing of its Lebanon printing plant — and layoffs of 400 employees.
Donations have increased since Thanksgiving due to food drives and emotions surrounding the holiday season, Wyatt said.
“We are certainly grateful for all the help we get,” Wyatt said. “But demand keeps rising.”
The food pantry is operated by volunteers from 13 area churches. The group operates mainly on donations from those churches as well as the United Way, Shared Harvest and private donations and food drives.
Wyatt said the pantry is also in need of personal care supplies like shampoo, toothpaste and toilet paper. An individual can come to the food pantry once a month for support. The pantry is open only to those who live in the Lebanon School District.
For more information, call (513) 932-4841. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
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