ESCANABA -- The Escanaba Salvation Army's food pantry is not prepared for the 30 percent increase in families they anticipate to serve this Thanksgiving season.
While food donations remain steady, the food is flying off the shelves almost faster than it's being brought in, say officials. The Salvation Army served 9,501 individuals when the fiscal year ended in September.
It was a 13 percent increase from 2010. Officials say they're especially in need of meat like ham, turkey, and even venison, for holiday meals, but even the smallest donations count.
"And anything that you can help with, whether it's canned food, boxed food, monetary donations, this is how we make it through our holidays, is with you," said Salvation Army Caseworker Tammy Bigelow.
St. Vincent's in Gladstone said food donations are slow right now, but they expect to get a lot more help from the community and schools, especially during the week of Thanksgiving.
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