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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — A local Sears dealer and two area food assistance organizations are teaming up to help families in need.
Sears stores in St. Marys and Wapakoneta are staging “Carts of Giving” to help fill the shelves at Agape Ministries and Mercy Unlimited. Store owner Ted Yewey said the chance to help the local agencies was one he could not pass up.
“We were looking at projects in recognition of the 15th anniversary of Sears dealers in the area,” Yewey said. “We wanted to do something for the community.”
The collection drive, which began July 16, features bins at the St. Marys and Wapakoneta locations for customers to drop off non-perishable food and household items. Yewey said the event is scheduled to end Aug. 14.
“There could be possible permanent pens at each location,” Yewey said. “We really want to get this out. We have a booth at the fair with some literature. Customers can just drop off items and the reward they will get is a warm feeling.”
This is not the first time Yewey’s stores have helped local organizations. The stores helped with food drives for Second Harvest during the past two Christmas seasons.
“We probably would do that again,” Yewey’s said. “We’ve done that for the past two years.”
As gasoline and food prices continue to soar, Agape Executive Director Kathy Bayless said services increase. She said when 2008 figures are calculated, customers to the food pantry should dwarf 2007 statistics.
“By the end of the year we are calculating 10,000 individuals — that’s 3,000 more than last year,” Bayless said. “It takes a toll. The majority of my clients are the working poor.”
A sagging economy and summer also take a toll on the food pantry’s resources, Bayless said. Those factors make donations from companies like Sears more vital to helping area residents.
“It’s a trickle down effect,” Bayless said. “It’s unbelievable how much it helps, these are items I don’t have to spend money to buy.”
Glenna Bair, a representative with Mercy Unlimited, said clients at the Wapakoneta facility have increased in recent months. Like Agape, Bair said officials at the facility are struggling to meet the needs of customers.
“Gas prices and food prices are going up and that makes a difference,” Bair said. “We are up 1,000 people over last year at the same time.”
Those interested in helping the groups can bring non-perishable items or monetary donations to the facility. Bayless said the groups have a list of items that are in high-demand with clients.
“We are in need of canned meats, cereals, fruits, mac and cheese and Jell-O,” Bayless said. “What we have been training our clients to use is powdered milk — but its expensive.”
Bayless thanked Yewey for taking the initiative to start the food drive for the organizations. Bayless said Agape and Mercy Unlimited cannot start food drivers, but can be the beneficiary of them.
“We have no real resources to purchase food at discounts,” Bayless said. “To have Sears do this is truly appreciated.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 04 August 2008 )
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