Salvation Army pantry short of food while need remains

12/16/2013
BY CARL RYAN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Mary Glover-Booher, a case worker, stands in the coat collection room at the Salvation Army in Temperance. Items such as baby food and bath and laundry soap are in short supply, she says.
Mary Glover-Booher, a case worker, stands in the coat collection room at the Salvation Army in Temperance. Items such as baby food and bath and laundry soap are in short supply, she says.

TEMPERANCE — The pantry at the Salvation Army service center here is running low on supplies this holiday season.

It is in immediate need of canned and packaged foods such as soups, pasta, rice, baking mixes, cereals, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, meats, spaghetti sauces, and broth.

“We can accept anything that’s not outdated,” said Mary Glover-Booher, the south county case worker. “We’ll also take donations of fresh foods such as potatoes, peppers, apples, fruits, and vegetables.”

Even with an improving Michigan economy, the service center has been a busy place.

Located in the Bedford Plaza strip mall at 7200 Lewis Ave., it has had “dozens of people come through our door,” Mrs. Glover-Booher said.

“The job climate just isn't improving fast enough,” she said.

The center is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday The phone number is 734-224-7991.

Diana Logan, a Salvation Army volunteer, said the service center is experiencing an increased demand for food assistance relative to a year ago.

“We have more food orders and less stock right now compared to last year,” she said.

Mrs. Glover-Booher said the center also needs baby food and cleaning items such as laundry and bath soap. The center has a coat closet that gives away outerwear, including scarves, gloves, and hats, to people in need, and takes donations of those items.

In addition to Temperance, the center serves Dundee, Ida, Lambertville, La Salle Township, Luna Pier, Ottawa Lake, Petersburg, and Samaria. It can help with utility bills, but not rent, and makes referrals to public and private agencies that offer assistance. It also makes referrals to the Salvation Army Family Store, 1500 Mall Rd., Monroe.

Capt. Robert Whitney, the Salvation Army’s corps officer in Monroe, said 700 Monroe County families registered for the Christmas program, which will distribute food boxes and gifts Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

The number of families registered is fewer than the 1,300 who benefited from the program last year. Captain Whitney believes that is because a lot more missed the registration deadline, the day before Thanksgiving. “In terms of our overall social services and what we do, the need is still there,” he said.