As food prices continue to increase, more local families are needing some help to make through the month.  Calls to United Way's 2-1-1 hotline from those who need food have almost doubled from this same time period last year.  In April, 92 calls were from people looking for the nearest food pantry. In April of 2007, there were only 49 calls.

The volume of calls started increasing about two months ago, about the time the price of gas started skyrocketing. "We do see that there's an increasing need in our community. And we've also seen an increase in calls.  Our call volume's up about 35 percent over last year," says Christy Edwards of United Way.  "So you know there are a lot more folks out there looking for these resources as well."
 
The 2-1-1 hotline serves six counties.  Edwards says there are pantries available throughout the area but they all have different hours and rules.  She says they can help folks through the process and she understands that for some, it's hard to make that call for assistance.  "I think it is discouraging to try to ask for help, especially if you're a working person and you've never had to ask for help before," Edwards tells me. "And there are a lot of different hotlines and numbers out there.  And that's the point of 2-1-1, we give you one, easy to remember three digit number.  And you can call us and we'll make it really easy to get the help you need and it's anonymous and confidential."

For families already struggling, there's word about more sticker shock at the grocery store. This time, it's chicken and pork prices. It's the same old story - chicken and pig producers are losing money on the high cost of feed. And there's less feed because more grain, specifically corn, is being used for fuel.  Tyson Foods for example, says its feed expenses will rise $700 million dollars this year.

Edwards says for people facing problems, the United Way hotline is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Meanwhile, the area food bank, which supplies all local pantries, says its shelves are pretty bare these days.  The food bank is relying on a food drive this Saturday, May 10, to help fill the shelves.  It's the postal carriers food drive and people are asked to leave a bag of canned food (or more than one bag) by their mailbox.  The bag of food will be picked up by the postal carrier and delivered to the food bank.