A world of holiday hurt

Charities that give food to needy people for holiday dinners are reporting severe shortages just six days before Thanksgiving.

“We still need turkeys and pies, big time,” said Walter Lofton, food services manager for the Springs Rescue Mission.

Lofton is trying to put together enough food for 6,400 plates at a banquet at the City Auditorium on Thanksgiving Day and 350 food boxes for area families. So far, he has just 180 turkeys and 43 pies, he said Thursday.

Last-minute shortages are typical for charities in the Pikes Peak region. Most won’t know how much food they have until Tuesday or Wednesday, when area food drives wrap up. Those that don’t get sufficient turkey donations, for example, may be able to buy additional supplies before the holiday.

But the region’s largest hunger relief agency, Care and Share Food Bank, said the situation could be worse this season because more people need help even as donations sag.

A report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued this week said 12 percent of Colorado households were at risk of hunger from 2004 to 2006. That’s up from 9.7 percent of households in the preceding three years. (The USDA averages the rates over three-year periods.)

Part of the increase could be a result of inflation in other areas of the economy, said Care and Share President Nicholas Saccaro in a statement.

“For the 130,000 people in southern Colorado who struggle at the edge of hunger, having to put another $10 worth of gas in the tank and pay another $10 on their heating bill means fewer meals on the table that week,” he said.

Another problem for Care and Share is a rapid decline in the amount of food it gets from the federal government. The food bank received more than 1 million pounds of food in 2004 from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, but last year it got only 567,000 pounds.

Care and Share hopes to distribute about 6,000 Thanksgiving turkeys through about 400 local food banks, but Wednesday it had only about 100 turkeys on hand, said spokeswoman Susan McConnell.

“The picture is getting a little more grim this season, and we’re a little uncomfortable with it,” she said.

The charity hopes to receive about 4,000 turkeys today as part of its Take a Turkey to Work Day.

Those turkeys will be distributed to other charities that give them to needy people, such as Colorado Springsbased Crossfire Ministries. Crossfire typically gives out 600 turkeys with food boxes on Thanksgiving Day.

The ministry had guaranteed turkeys to 300 families who signed up in advance, but it had only 25 turkeys on hand Thursday. Care and Share is expected to deliver more turkeys Saturday and Monday, said executive director John Miller.

“Care and Share is not going to be able to supply all of the need. Right now we’re just scrounging to even be able to satisfy the 300 that we guaranteed,” Miller said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0187 or perry.swanson@gazette.com

HOW TO HELP

- Crossfire Ministries needs donations of turkeys and all the trimmings to provide Thanksgiving meals to the needy. Turkeys, mashed potato flakes, boxed dressing, canned green beans or corn, sweet potatoes, rolls, margarine cubes, cranberry sauce, pies and canned gravy can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at 307 N. Union Blvd., or call 447-1806 for alternative delivery arrangements. Volunteers are needed to help pack boxes Saturday and Monday.

- Frozen turkeys for “A Gobble for All” turkey drive to benefit Care and Share Food Drive can be dropped off through Wednesday at the following Panera Bread locations: 7344 N. Academy Blvd., 1845 Briargate Parkway, 1832 Southgate Road and 3120 New Center Point. For information, go to www.panera-colorado.com.

- Care and Share Food Bank is accepting turkeys at three Wal-Mart stores today as part of “Take a Turkey to Work Day.” Donors can drop off a turkey or make a cash donation. Participating stores include those at 707 S. Eighth St., 8250 Razorback Road and 5550 E. Woodmen Road. Turkeys can also be dropped off at Panera Bread stores or the Care and Share Food Bank distribution center, 2520 Aviation Way.

- To help the Springs Rescue Mission with turkeys or pies, drop off donations at 5 W. Las Vegas St. or call Walter Lofton at 209-0902.