Working people stress Phoenix food-bank supplies
Jul 27, 2012, 8:42 AM | Updated: 8:43 am
PHOENIX — More Americans with jobs are now living from paycheck to paycheck and it has taken Valley food banks by surprise.
At this time last year, St. Mary’s Food Bank, near 31st Avenue and Thomas Road, would see about 600-700 people per day. That number has climbed to 800-1,000 — and number of people they now help have jobs.
The St. Mary’s parking lot, along with neighboring lots, are often full.
“We’re seeing a whole different [segment of people needing help],” said food bank spokesman Jerry Brown, “something the food bank wasn’t necessarily designed to handle.”
Robbie Cooper was in line waiting for her food box.
“I’m taking care of all of these people on one income, including a daughter and three grandchildren,” Cooper said. “I’ve never experienced anything like this and I’m 55 years old.”
The Consumer Federation of America said 40 percent of American households live from paycheck to paycheck, up from 31 percent in 1997.
Brown said St. Mary’s dealing with the higher number of people seeking help while donations are down.
“Those who are normally donors to us take off for the summer to the cooler climates, so we’re not getting the donations we usually get, but the demand rises,” he said. “It’s a double whammy for us. We have 30 percent less food in our warehouse than we did last summer. We’re not turning anyone away but it’s a concern.”
Brown said more people are using the food bank to stretch paychecks.
“They’re trying to hang on to their house and keep their cars to get back and forth to work,” he said.
