They are often unseen, but they are there.
Every day in Lowndes County, senior citizens struggle between buying medication and paying for food. Parents struggle to stretch meals and dollars, often going hungry themselves to feed their children. And sometimes, despite parents” best efforts, children still study over the growling din of hunger, hoping lunch will be enough, because there will be no supper tonight.
According to recent statistics by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, around 17.2 million families battled “food insecurity” last year, with Mississippi leading the country in hunger, reporting approximately 19.4 percent of the state”s population experiencing low or very low food security. According to The AARP Foundation, nearly 13 percent of all Mississippians over the age of 50 are in danger of going hungry.
Next Saturday, Sept. 24, the city of Columbus and the United Way of Lowndes County will hold a community food drive, “Project Feed Columbus,” with donations benefiting area food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other nonprofit organizations.
Helping Hands
Helping Hands is one of several agencies which will receive the food, and Executive Director Nancy Guerry said it will help not only the chronically poor but also many people who have never sought help before.
The organization distributes food every Wednesday and Thursday, and it”s not unusual for Guerry to see 30 to 40 people each day.
Last Wednesday, 81 people stood in line for food — the most she”s seen on a single day in the 22 years she has worked with the agency.
In addition to offering food for the needy, Helping Hands also offers one-time or temporary emergency assistance with utility bills, medication, rent and mortgages.
A crowd like last week”s can quickly deplete the pantry shelves.
Feeding the body, mind and spirit
The reasons people come to Helping Hands for assistance vary.
“When we first started, there were the people who had always gone from church to church for help,” Guerry explained. “For several years now, we”ve been seeing people who”ve never dreamed of having to ask for help. They”re working two jobs, maybe three, but it doesn”t quite meet expenses.”
In addition to feeding their bodies, Guerry said Helping Hands also tries to feed their minds and their spirits. She talks with people about ways they can cut expenses. She talks to them about having faith and trusting in God.
“We”re trying to encourage people not to give up,” Guerry said.
Safe Haven
Safe Haven is another group which will benefit from the food drive. Director Joyce Tucker said the food will be used to prepare hot meals for the women and children who take shelter there.
Currently, two women are staying at Safe Haven, but Tucker said eight women called this week and inquired about seeking refuge from domestic abuse.
Because Lowndes County does not have a homeless shelter, Tucker said she is seeing more and more crisis calls from people who simply have no place to go. When they arrive at Safe Haven, she can guarantee three things: They”ll have a roof over their heads, they”ll have a hot meal and they”ll be safe.
“That”s one thing they don”t have to worry about — ”Will my family eat tonight?”” Tucker said. “We”ll make sure they have food, and healthy food as well, not just junk.”
She said community donations like items from the food drive are always needed.
“It”s very much appreciated and will be put to good use,” Tucker said.
How to participate
Those who wish to participate in “Project Feed Columbus” should bring non-perishable food items to the lower level of the Trotter Convention Center between 9 a.m. and noon.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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