In Louisiana, hunger is a reality for one in eight people, according to Second Harvest Food Bank. Westlake is no exception to the statistics. Economical woes have led many to seek help. In fact, one local pantry has seen such an increase in clientele, they can hardly keep their stock up.
"Because of the recession, we have seen a huge influx of people," said Warrene Adams, volunteer at Westlake United Methodist Church's food pantry since 2000.
The church's pantry began in the 1980's with a focus on serving the residents of Westlake and, to some extent, those of Mossville and Moss Bluff. However, the church does not turn people from elsewhere away and have now seen an increase of people coming in from Sulphur, Carlyss, and Lake Charles.
"We are getting people from all over the area who have never come before," said Adams.
The number of older people living on social security checks seeking help have increased considerably, said Adams. These retirees simply have a difficult time affording groceries versus paying the increasing costs of medicine, utilities, and the like. However, people of ages can be found visiting the pantry, which receives the bulk of its stock from Second Harvest Food Bank in Lafayette.
"We see about an average of fifteen families a week," said Adams.
That number is steep considering the size of the church's pantry and that a family can only visit it once a month per Second Harvest requirements. According to Adams, a family of about four or five receives around 40lbs of food, with each person over that number adding 5lbs more to the total. Second Harvest also requires that the family visit the same location each time for their once-a-month visit.
"We have to stay within their standards," said Adams.
The pantry is open three days a week, Monday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Wednesday 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and after each pantry day, Adams states that the church has to almost completely restock their shelves. Economic conditions aren't the sole reason for the increase. Various times of the year, such as the summertime, usually see an upswing in need. The church is also filling a vacuum left by First Baptist Church of Westlake closing their food pantry, leaving WUMC and Good Hope Missionary Baptist, whose pantry is open only on the third Saturday of the month, to fill the increasing need of the hungry in the Westlake/Mossville/Moss Bluff area. Adding to their burden and concern is the fact that governmental funding to Second Harvest, the church's main source of stock, has been severely cut, from millions of dollars to about $500,000.
The church works hard to find ways to keep their shelves stocked. Adams stated that other area churches have expressed a desire to help ease WUMC's burden, and, of course, there has always been their own congregation.
"We are thankful that the congregation embraces the pantry," said Adams.
The church also recently held a rummage sale to bring in funding for the pantry and has appealed to the community-at-large for donations of items.
"Donations are always welcome," said Thora Donaldson, a pantry volunteer since the 1980's.
Their greatest needs are for things not provided by either Second Harvest or available to people through food stamps. Items include Ramen noodles, pancake and biscuit mixes, macaroni and cheese, cleaning items, both home and personal, and toilet paper. The church receives donations Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For those wishing to donate or find out more about the food pantry, contact the church at 433-8424 or visit them at 704 Johnson Street.
For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank in Lafayette or the Greater New Orleans area, visit their website at http://no-hunger.org
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In Louisiana, hunger is a reality for one in eight people, according to Second Harvest Food Bank. Westlake is no exception to the statistics. Economical woes have led many to seek help. In fact, one local pantry has seen such an increase in clientele, they can hardly keep their stock up.
"Because of the recession, we have seen a huge influx of people," said Warrene Adams, volunteer at Westlake United Methodist Church's food pantry since 2000.
The church's pantry began in the 1980's with a focus on serving the residents of Westlake and, to some extent, those of Mossville and Moss Bluff. However, the church does not turn people from elsewhere away and have now seen an increase of people coming in from Sulphur, Carlyss, and Lake Charles.
"We are getting people from all over the area who have never come before," said Adams.
The number of older people living on social security checks seeking help have increased considerably, said Adams. These retirees simply have a difficult time affording groceries versus paying the increasing costs of medicine, utilities, and the like. However, people of ages can be found visiting the pantry, which receives the bulk of its stock from Second Harvest Food Bank in Lafayette.
"We see about an average of fifteen families a week," said Adams.
That number is steep considering the size of the church's pantry and that a family can only visit it once a month per Second Harvest requirements. According to Adams, a family of about four or five receives around 40lbs of food, with each person over that number adding 5lbs more to the total. Second Harvest also requires that the family visit the same location each time for their once-a-month visit.
"We have to stay within their standards," said Adams.
The pantry is open three days a week, Monday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Wednesday 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and after each pantry day, Adams states that the church has to almost completely restock their shelves. Economic conditions aren't the sole reason for the increase. Various times of the year, such as the summertime, usually see an upswing in need. The church is also filling a vacuum left by First Baptist Church of Westlake closing their food pantry, leaving WUMC and Good Hope Missionary Baptist, whose pantry is open only on the third Saturday of the month, to fill the increasing need of the hungry in the Westlake/Mossville/Moss Bluff area. Adding to their burden and concern is the fact that governmental funding to Second Harvest, the church's main source of stock, has been severely cut, from millions of dollars to about $500,000.
The church works hard to find ways to keep their shelves stocked. Adams stated that other area churches have expressed a desire to help ease WUMC's burden, and, of course, there has always been their own congregation.
"We are thankful that the congregation embraces the pantry," said Adams.
The church also recently held a rummage sale to bring in funding for the pantry and has appealed to the community-at-large for donations of items.
"Donations are always welcome," said Thora Donaldson, a pantry volunteer since the 1980's.
Their greatest needs are for things not provided by either Second Harvest or available to people through food stamps. Items include Ramen noodles, pancake and biscuit mixes, macaroni and cheese, cleaning items, both home and personal, and toilet paper. The church receives donations Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For those wishing to donate or find out more about the food pantry, contact the church at 433-8424 or visit them at 704 Johnson Street.
For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank in Lafayette or the Greater New Orleans area, visit their website at http://no-hunger.org
