KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Food banks and pantries across Michigan are being stretched thin ahead of the holidays.
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes is seeing record high service calls for the number of families in need.
South Michigan Food Bank has 360 distribution partners they supply, however shelves are empty as they don’t have the food to keep up with the demand.
Leftover supply chain issues during the pandemic created hang ups at the food bank this year.
“We had 53 truckloads from the feds that were scheduled to come to us that never materialized,” Peter Vogel, CEO of South Michigan Food Bank said.
Vogel said $1 million was taken from cash reserves and added to the food budget in 2022 just to get by.
This year, the food bank is in another pinch as demand is the highest Vogel has ever seen.
“It has been a real challenge, demand is not going down,” Vogel said.
The food bank is being sparing with the food handed out across the 8 counties they serve, according to Vogel.
“In the average week, if they were getting 200 families coming in, they would order 200 boxes and what they are seeing now is we need more food, can you give me 250 boxes, and our challenge is, I just don’t have the resources to be able to do that,” Vogel said.
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes is fighting the same battle, with new families rushing in each month, up a whopping 60% from 2022.
“A lot of people have their rent increased,” Greta Faworski, Associate Director of Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes said. “When you are penny by penny, those types of increases are very difficult to navigate.”
Volunteers are staying busy sorting, boxing and filling carts for 200 pickups and 70 home deliveries daily.
“I am grateful for what I have and I understand people struggle, don’t look down on them, they struggle and need help,” Dina Hershberger, volunteer said.
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes feeds 750 people on a daily basis.
A recent survey, conducted by the pantry reveals 46% of individuals in need of help have jobs.
“It’s really difficult when you are doing the best you can and you are still hitting barrier after barrier,” Faworski said.
Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes will be at the Maple Hill Holiday Parade Saturday, Nov. 18 accepting non perishables and cash donations.