Big donations given during Neighbors In Need

MISHAWAKA — On Monday, community members generously donated food and cash to those who are struggling to eat. The Neighbors in Need food and monetary donation drive got under way at 5 a.m. at the WSBT Stations. As the event wound down near 7 p.m., Terri Swift, accounting manager for the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, reported some 14,000 pounds of food and a little more than $7,000 in cash had been collected. By 9 a.m., 800 pounds of nonperishable food items were already on the food bank's semi-truck stationed in the parking lot. Emily Higginbotham, a substitute teacher at La Petite Academy in South Bend, brought a box of nonperishable items the kids had collected specifically for Neighbors in Need. Another man drove through and handed volunteers a check for $500. Lisa Jaworski, director of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, said Miller Poultry, of Orland, Ind., came by to donate 4,000 chicken drumsticks. Martin's Super Markets matched the drumsticks with dollars, offering $4,000 to be split between the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and the Southwest Gleaners Food Bank in St. Joseph. At this same time last year, the Neighbors in Need drive brought in 18,000 pounds of food and $28,000, Jaworski said. Despite some positive signs of improvement in the economy this year compared with last, Jaworski said, the number of people at risk for being hungry is staggering. In December, for example, she said, 56,000 people used the services of member agencies in St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, LaPorte, Starke and Kosciusko counties. An additional 26,000 people visited affiliated soup kitchens and shelters, she said. A recent national survey, she said, shows one in eight Americans is currently at risk of hunger, that is, not knowing where their next meal will come from. In Indiana, 650,000 people — half of them children — are at risk, she said. For those who are struggling, Jaworski advised, don't hesitate to use the services of local food pantries, while saving the income you do have to pay your mortgage or rent and utilities. Those interested in helping out who weren't able to make it to the WSBT Stations on Monday can still make a donation. Martin's stores throughout north-central Indiana and southwestern Michigan are accepting food donations on behalf of both food banks. Staff writer Sue Lowe contributed to this story. Staff writer Kim Kilbride: kkilbride@sbtinfo.com (574) 247-7759