PORT ANGELES — When the winter holidays near, food banks such as the one run by the Salvation Army in Port Angeles find themselves awash in food, money and clothing contributions.
But during the rest of the year — especially in the spring and summer months — donations that help the homeless and very-low-income families slow down, says Willma Erwick, financial secretary for the Salvation Army.
“The need for these kinds of services is increasing,” said Erwick, citing a struggling local economy and a growing number of people who rely on soup kitchens and food banks on a regular basis.
“We’re seeing more people come in and with larger families.
“Their numbers have increased dramatically.”
That’s why on Saturday at Albertsons supermarket, 114 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Salvation Army volunteers are holding a food drive designed to raise more food items for the corps’ food bank.
More dry dinner items
“What we really need are more canned goods, dry dinners, pastas, beans and these kinds of foods,” said Ernie Rider, a Salvation Army staff member who runs the food bank and performs a number of other tasks at the corps’ headquarters at the corner of Laurel and Second streets.
“We try to put out good food baskets, the best we can afford,” Rider said.
“We get a few donations, but not enough of what we really need.”
Between 30 and 80 families pick up food baskets at the center every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, Rider said.
“When the economy goes down, our needs go up,” he said.
“Recently, we are seeing a lot more homeless people, or people who are working but can’t afford to feed their families.”
Rider said Christmas time is the only season when they don’t have to worry about having enough items to give away.
“But fewer people think about giving the rest of the year,” he said.
