January record month for Lord?s Cupboard

After the community?s successful 500 Christmas food box giveaway, Jefferson County?s food pantry, The Lord?s Cupboard, served more people in January than any single month in its history, said Laura Cohen, director.

She sent out a flier stating supplies of non-perishable foods are dwindling, and in honor of National Canned Food Month, the community is invited to ?Cram the Cupboard,? this month with food for the hungry.

?We?ve already had a good response,? said Cohen. ?People have been dropping off canned goods and Hy-Vee is having a big canned food sale. Others have brought cash donations, which are very helpful, because we can purchase food more economically than the public can.?

Jefferson County?s food bank can purchase food from the Ottumwa food bank at greatly reduced prices.

Cohen also reported The Lord?s Cupboard had a 23 percent rise in need for food assistance in 2013 compared to 2012.

?I think some of the cuts to food stamps in November affected people in Jefferson County,? she said. ?I don?t think the most recent cuts will affect people here; the recent cuts were to close some loopholes in the system.?

Cohen said there isn?t one culprit to point to about a greater need in the county.

?We have a variety of reasons the need has increased,? she said. ?Some of our clients have disabilities and can?t work or can?t work full time. Some people have long-term medical issues; some people have been a long time unemployed. Some people are fully employed, but can?t make ends meet.

?Unfortunately, we have a steady base of clients here where their conditions are not going to improve,? said Cohen. ?If the economy gets better, it will help some people.?

Cohen?s flier outlines the items most needed at The Lord?s Cupboard, which is just off East Burlington Avenue on North B Street:

? Canned foods including fruits, vegetables, canned meat or tuna fish, peanut butter, etc. Food items must be non-expired.

? Boxed items such as pasta and cereal.

? Paper towels, toilet paper, bar soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, full-size toothpaste and tooth brushes.

Items The Lord?s Cupboard could use around the office and food bank are: liquid hand soap refills, Lysol wipes, permanent markers, business envelopes, copy paper, Scotch tape refills, clipboards, sticky notes.

More information is at The Lord?s Cupboard website at www.LordsCupboard.org. It also has a Facebook page.

Donors may bring items to 54 South B St. in Fairfield between 1-4 p.m. any weekday.

Call 472-8457 for more information or if a business would like to serve as a drop-off location for donations.