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Pantries may feel United Way’s campaign shortage

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By Tiffany Y. Latta 6:20 PM Monday, November 9, 2009

Area pantries are serving 43 percent more families this year than last year due to the economic downturn.

With unemployment in Butler County at 9.1 percent, 85,000 families have sought help from emergency food pantries this year, up from 59,000 families last year, including many who have never needed assistance before.

“It has not been unexpected,’’ said Tina Osso, director of Shared Harvest Foodbank in Fairfield.

“All you have to do is watch the news and understand what the downturn in the economy has done. It’s caused people who have always been self reliant and self sufficient to turn to charities to help put food on the table.’’

What’s worse Osso said is that pantries may see steep cuts in funding from the Butler County United Way, which is anticipating a $230,000 campaign shortfall this year.

United Way officials have raised $1.463 million of their $2.450 million goal since launching their annual campaign on Sept. 11.

Officials said the shortfall would be devastating to United Way funded agencies, especially area pantries.

“Anything short of that means significant reductions to agencies that have already received reductions from other agencies,’’ said Maureen Noe, president of the United Way. “...For us to come up short is not a good thing. We need to band together and keep asking people to be generous and give what they can.’’

United Way Board Chairman Bruce Jewett said officials expected a tough year.

Jewett, who is director of the county’s Department of Job and Family Services, said he was forced to pare 20 percent of his staff at a time when food stamp recipients spiked 40 percent.

“It’s a tough time for the private sector and public sector and everybody is trying to deal with a greater need with less resources,” Jewett said.

Osso said the impact of the economic downturn has been felt countywide, including in suburban areas such as West Chester.

Osso urged those who can give to the United Way to donate what they can to the campaign.

“You have to think about how many pay checks are you from standing in a food pantry line. Everybody needs some help at some point in time. If you can help now, now is the time.’’

For more information about the United Way or to donate funds, call 513-863-0800 or visit http://www.bc-unitedway.org/.

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I wish there was some way to report people that abuse the food pantries and food stamps.I would like to give more but its hard for me to give my money up knowing what I know.

disgusted
6:59 PM, 11/9/2009

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