Published: September 23, 2008 10:45 pm      

Salvation Army food pantry shuts down

In the 14 years Janet Quinn has worked for The Salvation Army, she’s never had to close the organization’s food pantry.

However, Friday, as she surveyed the nearly empty shelves, she decided, “we didn’t have enough to make it worth a trip for our folks who need help,” and the pantry closed. Quinn anticipates re-opening Thursday, after she receives a shipment of food from Food Finders food bank.

Quinn said, though, the shelter is open for people who want to make donations or either cash, food, or other items not covered by food stamps, such as toilet paper and shampoo.

She said it’s not just The Salvation Army struggling to keep its food pantry stocked.

“All the pantries are struggling. It seems everyone is struggling right now to keep enough product on the shelves. There are a lot of people needing help. My August statistics were nearly double what they were last year.”

Quinn said organizers of several local food pantries are working together to share information and products.

She said nearly every pantry could use donations of canned goods, cereal, any extra produce from gardens, soap, laundry detergent and shampoo, among other items.

She thinks the slow economy and the change in Indiana’s food stamp process have contributed to the increased need.

Martha Koon, system administrator for the United Way referral service, said she’s checking with other local food pantries to see where there is need for help. She said the need has grown worse in recent weeks because “other pantries who hadn’t seen much change are now saying they are seeing change.”

She said people can make donations at any local food pantries or through the United Way, which will know where the need is greatest.

“We know right now that is The Salvation Army.”

Danielle Rush may be reached at (765) 454-8585 or via e-mail at

danielle.rush@kokomotribune.com