The McComb Interdenominational Care Association is among the 300 churches and nonprofit organizations that are receiving fewer donations from the Mississippi Food Network, which has been hit hard by the recession.
“When they have less to give, we have less to give,” said longtime MICA volunteer and food pantry director Jerry Calhoun.
MICA depends largely on local donations to keep it afloat, but the food bank of Mississippi helps beef up the pantry. Calhoun estimates that MICA receives 10 to 15 percent of its food from the Food Network.
The food pantry sends MICA a list every week of foods they’ll have to help stock the local pantry. For every one food bank item MICA buys, it receives two U.S.D.A. products from the network.
“It just depends on what they get as to what we get,” Calhoun said.
This year, for the first time in its 25-year-history, the food bank won’t be able to buy turkeys and give them to needy Mississippians this Thanksgiving. Officials cite rising turkey prices and falling charitable donations.
Calhoun said there has been an increase in local requests for holiday food assistance, with people coming in daily for help.
If extra food is available, MICA will pack holiday boxes with a little more, and if turkeys are available, MICA will give them as needed.
Food donations may be taken to the MICA pantry at 126 N. Fifth St., McComb. Monetary donations may be mailed to MICA at that address or at P.O. Box 7206, McComb, MS 39649.
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For information, call 684-1969.
