Rising fuel prices drive food requests
by Shera Everette
Carrboro Commons Writer
The increasing prices at the pump are hitting poorer local residents harder in their pockets. According to Chris Moran, executive director of the Inter-Faith Council, the financial burden is making organizations like his program more crucial, especially in the winter.
Shera Everette photo
“Fuel increases have caused other basic essentials to go up in price, such as food, transportation, and so on,” said Chris Moran,. “What’s evident is our basic costs have gone up recently, but our wages have not. There’s been an increase in expenses, but not in paychecks.”
The struggling economy has increased the public’s call for services from the Inter-Faith Council, located at 110 W. Main St. The Inter-Faith Council’s food pantry also provides bags of groceries and monetary assistance to the people in the program. Moran said the food pantry currently serves 1,068 households, which is up from previous months. In the past few months, Moran said the pantry has seen a 40 percent increase in food distribution, a 21 percent increase in the requests for monetary assistance and a 56 percent increase in interviews – people who desire to become part of the program because they need financial assistance.
According to its Web site, the faith-based organization gives assistance to families in the form of shelter for men at the Community House in Chapel Hill, shelter for homeless women and children at HomeStart in Chapel Hill, and food at the Community Kitchen.
“I think it’s a serious challenge,” Moran said. “I wonder how many people really care about those who are poor. We don’t want those people to become homeless. There needs to be more outpouring [of] assistance to help people get over the hump.”
Kevin, a Carrboro resident who did not want to give his last name because of embarrassment about his financial hardships, said he could not get into the Community House because he has a family, but his family eats at the Community Kitchen nearly every day.
“It’s been tough for me and my family in these last months,” Kevin said. “I lost my job, the car broke down, and bills just started piling up. Every day is a struggle for us, but at least we don’t really have to worry about our food as long as the kitchen doesn’t turn us away.”
Moran said several people are in the same boat as Kevin.
“Many of our folks are constantly making a decision of what do I pay first,” Moran said. “It becomes kind of a game to people. They’ll say, ‘I paid this bill first last month, so I can pay this bill first this month.’”
Kevin also spoke of the troubles in paying his bills.
“At one time, it seemed like a bill collector was always calling me,” he said. “Then, when my phone got cut off, I didn’t really have to worry about that. But I know they still want their money. I just have to find a way to get it to them. I know good help is out there, it’s just hard to find.”
Luckily for the Inter-Faith Council, the increasing gas prices have not scared away the number of volunteers who donate their time, money and food items. Its Web site boasts of having more than 500 volunteers involved with the various programs last year.
“I try to get out there and volunteer with people as much as I can,” said Benjamin Lawson, a Carrboro resident. “I try to send food every now and then, or give money when I can because I never know what will happen to me and my family. This month, I may be able to pay my bills, but if gas keeps going up, next month might be different.”
Last fall, Moran said the organization had the best donation campaign they have ever had through the Stewards Fund Challenge, raising more than $56,000. With the donations, they were able to raise enough money to make the Community House remain open 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
“We encourage the local community to continue to donate,” Moran said. “We’ll protect every dollar they give and make sure to spend it wisely.”
