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Food drive ramps up as need deepens
Comments 0 | Recommend 0WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – A total of 42 states lost jobs in August, with the biggest payroll cuts coming from Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and in Michigan.
The Labor Department says 27 states saw their unemployment rates increase in August. Michigan still has the highest jobless rate in the nation at 15.2 percent. Michigan is followed by Nevada, Rhode Island, California, and Oregon.
As Michigan battles unemployment many people need help with putting food on the table. In West Michigan there are hundreds of hungry people, and some of the community organizations that offer them help needs some assistance.
Stop by any Secretary of State's branch office and you will probably see a bin for the Michigan Harvest Gathering. This is the 19th year for the food drive, but due to increased demand, 2009 is even more important.
"It's really difficult to keep everything stocked," said Walt Krudwig of North Parma United Methodist Church.
Krudwig helps run the food pantry at the Jackson County church. In one year, he's seen demand for food there almost double.
"A lot of senior, a lot of people who've lost jobs, had medical problems," said Krudwig.
Krudwig's organization is one of about 300 agencies across eight counties that depend on the Food Bank of South Central Michigan in Battle Creek.
"Oh we absolutely know we'll be serving more people than last year," said Rose Miller of the Food Bank.
In 2008, demand increased by almost 30 percent.
"People that have previously been donors are now users," said Miller.
In the fall of 2009, the food bank will rely more than ever on the Michigan Harvest Gathering.
"This is one of the largest grassroots food collections that happen in our service area," said Cheryl Proctor, Director of Operations at the Michigan Harvest Gathering.
People can contribute to the food drive at any Secretary of State branch office. The goal for 2009 is to collect 300,000 pounds of food.
Donations will keep Krudwig's church pantry stocked and the Food Bank of South Central Michigan open.
"I know there have been some food banks and pantries that have run out of food completely," said Krudwig.
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