Food banks across the country are reeling as the cost of groceries continues to skyrocket with no end in sight. Not only are there more people in need of supplemental food, there are also fewer people who can afford to donate.

The Covington Food Bank and All Saints Ministries, which serves St. Tammany, Washington and Tangipahoa parishes, is no exception. One day a couple of weeks ago it had to send its volunteers home.

“We didn’t have enough food to pack in the boxes,” said Jackie Catalanotto, manager of administration.

There was some food on the shelves of the Covington Food Bank and All Saints Ministries Monday. But that hasnt always been the case in recent weeks as the nations general economic decline creates more needy and fewer donors. Jackie Catalanotto, manager of administration, said everybody is hurting. (Staff Photo by Marcelle Hanemann)

The CFB is part of the Second Harvest network. Second Harvest, which distributes donated food and grocery items to more than 200 food banks nationwide, is its main supplier. But the local charitable organization also depends on schools, churches and individuals, said Catalanotto. And everybody is suffering, she said.

“Food banks across the country are hurting,” said Catalanotto. “So is Second Harvest. They’re trying to get the state to give them a $15 million grant so they can buy food for us.”

In the mean time, everyone is doing the best they can under strained circumstances.

The Covington Food Bank is open from 9 a.m. through noon Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last Monday, people were lined up and waiting to get in at 7 a.m. Others knocked and tried the door after 12:30 p.m. The volunteers inside were busy “putting out fires.”

The local food bank originally opened in 1984.

“When I started, 10 years ago, a busy day was seven to 10 families,” said Catalanotto. “That was when we just served St. Tammany. Now, we serve St. Tammany, Washington and Tangipahoa parishes. We get 70 to 90 families a day, and we get new registrants every day. We used to only get one or two new registrants a day, and sometimes none. Now we get three to eight a day.”

Many of the new faces belong to people who aren’t used to needing help, she said.

“Prices in stores are going up more and more,” said Catalanotto. “They’re out of sight. Electricity is being disconnected. Gas is being disconnected. And there are rent and mortgage payments. Many people tell us they would never normally come and ask for help. Now it’s not only the poor, but many different people who can’t afford necessities. Gasoline bills are so high, somewhere something’s going to suffer. It’s wild, and I just don’t know where it’s going to end. But I know the Lord is here, and He provides.”

Food drives are ongoing, and the focus is on basic items like rice and peanut butter. Recipients get a box twice a month if there are two or more members in the family, and a box once a month if there is only one person in the household.

Catalanotto said she has faith that the needs will somehow be met.

For additional information or to arrange a donation, call 893-3003.

The related dental clinic, open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, is also in need of volunteer dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists and people to be trained as volunteer dental assistants, said Catalanotto. Call the above number for information.