Cupboard almost bare at food bank

Business is booming at the Banks-Jackson Emergency Food Bank in Commerce. That is never a good thing.

So many people have come to the food bank that its shelves are nearly bare.

“It’s the lowest I can remember, and I’ve been here 14 years,” remarked Christa Shumake, manager.

The slack economy has dealt a double-whammy to the food bank. More people are out of work - and food - so they appeal to the food bank, and donations of both food and money are also down, for the same reasons.

And, said Shumake, August is always the food bank’s worst month.

Located on Georgia Avenue in a building provided by First Commerce Bank, the food bank supplies the short-term emergency food needs of people referred by a local church or by the Jackson or Banks Departments of Family and Children Services. Recipients typically get a one-week supply of food.

“We’re having so many families come in,” said Shumake. “We’ve been having more than 100 a month.”

For the complete story, see the August 13 issue of The Commerce News.