Help Center struggling, but blessed

The number of applicants for assistance from the Bogalusa Help Center food bank has likely doubled from 3,100 families in 2006 to an estimated 6200 families in 2009, Volunteer President Gene Hayman said Thursday.

“We are presently giving boxes to 530 families each month,” he said. “That’s over 800 hungry mouths.”

The Center serves people from throughout Washington Parish.

Most recipient families have monthly incomes of less than $900, they are elderly, and have health problems or disabilities, said Hayman. Others are young families that are “struggling to get by,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s hard to see just how they make it, so we are thankful we can help as much as we can,” said Hayman.

The “difficult economic times” have not only impacted the Help Center by prompting “tremendous growth” in the ranks of those who need its assistance, they’ve affected donors and caused grocery prices to “hit the roof,” said Hayman.

So far this year, the Center has had to dip deep into its dwindling savings to pay more than $10,000 of expenses and uncovered grocery costs. Its total food cost was $62,000, he said.

November and December are traditionally high application months, and while the 4-H, Back on Track, Franklinton and Denhamtown elementary schools, Annunciation Catholic School and others are having benefit food drives, the already great need is growing, said Hayman.

He encourages everyone to donate food or funding for food so truly needy local residents will have enough to eat through the holidays and beyond.

“We are blessed to be able to take care of them,” said Hayman. “And we will do as much as we can as long as we can for as many as we can.”