Donations drop off after holidays

The holidays, and the season of giving, has come and gone. As we get back into our routines, so too, will the needy.  Jennifer Small of the Maryland food bank explains the unfortunate reality of some people’s daily routine of scraping together what they have just to make it to their next meal.  She says hunger has no holiday, and just because someone may be hungry during Thanksgiving and Christmas doesn’t mean that hunger ends for their family once those holidays pass.

You can donate to the food bank in three ways – with your time: volunteers are always needed.  With your money: The food bank is a feeding america affiliate , and when they work in conjunction with wholesalers who are also affiliates, the dollars get stretched.  A $5 donation can

Small adds that the first few months of the year are the slowest – but more recently there has been a decrease in donations from January – March each passing year.  Food donations drop, but it doesn’t end there.

As we move forward into 2016 the thermometer is dropping as well, and many are left in the cold.  Mark Thompson of Adopt-A-Block recognizes that.  He spoke to 47ABC while sorting out Jackets in the Emmanuel Wesleyan Church Miracle building.  The jackets are sorted out for the needy to come in and pick out whatever they need from the closet.  Thompson stressed the importance of a year round community outreach effort.

Adopt-A-Block is built on the phrase find a need – fill it- find a hurt – heal it.  All donations are appreciated, but it’s important to remember that there will always be a need, and each day of 2016 will be an opportunity to fill it.