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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Rising heat costs lead to increased hunger

More residents turn to local food banks to help cover utilities, groceries

By Daniel Lai, Editor

PUBLISHED: March 27, 2008

The Food Bank Council of Michigan recently reported rising costs associated with heating homes has left more residents in need of charitable assistance this year.

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"The average household paid $986 for heat this winter, 10 percent more than last year, forcing families to make difficult choices between heat and food," Bill Long, interim executive director for FBCM, said. "For many of Michigan's working families, it means turning to local food banks to fill the gap."

Long said natural gas, which is used to heat most U.S. homes, costs an average of 10.7 percent more this winter, while electricity costs an average of 2.7 percent more. While utility companies offer some shut-off protection during the coldest months and local organizations provide assistance with heating costs, it's not enough to cover the gap, he said.

"Rising energy costs and heating bills have much more impact on the most vulnerable families," Long said. "If families are forced into the position of choosing between heat and food, they should talk to their energy supplier to maintain heat and contact a local food bank for assistance."

According to Manchester Family Service Treasurer John Sahakian, the group has seen an increase in local families seeking assistance since the start of the new year.

"In January, we distributed food to 171 individuals in 58 households ranging from a single person to a family of seven. In February, we helped 168 individuals in 60 households," he said.

Sahakian said that number is up since 2002.

"In January 2002, we helped 122 individuals and 45 households, and in January 2007 we helped 189 individuals and 68 households."

Sahakian said in January and February of this year, MFS has assisted five clients with utility (heating fuel and electricity) costs that totaled $1,700.

"Right now we're seeing a lot of people ask for help with their heating and food bills," he said.

Dave Karr, FBCM board president and director of the American Red Cross' Regional Food Distribution Center in Lansing, said the group is also handling more requests than in previous years.

"People are calling and saying 'I can't afford food; I'm trying not to get my gas shut off,'' he said. "At the same time, our ability to provide enough food is being impacted because donations to us are down."

Even though food banks across Michigan are handing out food to needy residents faster than they can stock the shelves, Long said families still need to ask for help.

"The food banks will find a way to help," he said.

However, Long said he is concerned proposed cuts in the 2009 federal budget would leave a $24 million hole in state energy assistance, affecting up to 82,000 Michigan residents.

"The proposed cuts come at a time when a struggling economy is hurting charities across the board," he said.

Sahakian said as the need for assistance continues to grow, local organizations can help alleviate the burden on food pantries by holding food drives and other fundraisers.

"People can do a lot of things to help out their neighbors starting with supporting the Ann Arbor-based Food Gatherers Organization. Food Gatherers supplies us with the food --some free and the rest at modest prices -- that we distribute on a once a month basis at our Food Gatherers Day (third Wednesday of each month)," he said. "We also need volunteers to help our board members with set up and grocery packing at our food distributions for about two hours in the morning.."

Sahakian said during the school year, members of the National Honor Society contribute valuable service hours to MFS and the Boy Scouts help in the summer.

"They are a great asset to have in the community," he said.

For more information about MFS and how to contribute to local food banks, contact MFS Secretary Mary Sue Moore at MSJOE56@aol.com or the Food Bank Council of Michigan at 1-517-485-1202.

Editor Daniel Lai can be reached at 428-8173 or dlai@heritage.com.