Shortly after reaching out to the community for assistance in restocking the shelves of its food pantry, The Salvation Army received support by the carload, according to Jeanie Saunders, social services director.
As a result, all the shelves of the food pantry are stocked, Saunders said.
"Hot Springs is an awesome community. They just responded to our need in such a huge way, no questions asked. This is a beautiful, helpful community," Saunders said.
The Sentinel-Record published an article about the need for food staples on Feb. 2.
What were once-barren shelves are now filled to the brim with boxes of cereals, fruit cups, and easy-to-open canned goods. All the food donated will eventually get distributed to those in the community as needed. Saunders puts together the food bags herself, ensuring each individual receiving food has the necessary supplies to assemble a full meal and not just random food items.
"We had several businesses bring in large donations of both food and money. We were truly overwhelmed by the support we received. Our shelves are overflowing, but they won't stay that way," she said.
According to Saunders, the shortage happens on a monthly basis. Within the first couple of weeks of the month, nearly all of the food is gone from the shelves. Around this time every year, donations are sparse and the pantry seems to run out of food faster, she said.
Saunders said she hopes that the recent donations get them through the end of April.
"I get new clients each day, so there is no way to say for certain how long the recently donated items will last. Thankfully, there have been people making monetary donations and donating to our credit at the Project Hope Food Bank," she said.
The Salvation Army is still accepting nonperishable food items and monetary donations can be added to their credit at the Project Hope Food Bank. Saunders said the food bank allows The Salvation Army and other feeding programs to purchase everything on their shopping list at a reduced price.
Many of the people who come to the food pantry are senior citizens who run out of money near the end of the month, she said, noting they also see "working poor" families who have lost food stamps or operate on a single income. Often children are the ones cooking the food received from the pantry because of their parents' work schedule.
Donations of nonperishable food items can be dropped off at The Salvation Army's main office, 115 Crescent Ave., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Local on 02/11/2018