Local food pantries feel pressure

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. —Local organizations in Wicomico County are feeling the strain as more people turn to food banks for assistance.

Ginny Poorman, operations manager for Adopt A Block, said the need has increased dramatically. “People who were already our customers are terrified. They’re scared. Obviously, we help them get through a week with groceries, but now they’re losing two weeks of groceries,” Poorman said.

At Adopt A Block, phone calls have surged, and emergency food boxes are being distributed at a higher rate. “Some days we’re handing out 44 boxes of food, when we were handing out nine,” Poorman said.

The organization is seeing new faces of all kinds. “We’re seeing a lot of veterans coming in. We’re seeing a lot of older folks, and a ton of working families,” Poorman said.

Meanwhile, Hope Inc. is working to provide up to two meals per day for individuals, but Executive Director Debra Rossi said they need sponsors for their lunch programs. “Donors or corporations willing to sponsor a month of lunches is important. $25 a month feeds 120 people a year,” Rossi said.

With the holidays approaching, both organizations are asking for help. “I would ask everyone to consider what they take for granted each day and maybe be a little more generous in their giving to all of those who are working so hard in our community,” Rossi said.

Poorman added, “We don’t want to turn anybody away right now.”