Business is booming for Oxford/Orion FISH ? and that isn’t a good thing.
‘We are gaining at least 15 new clients a month,? said FISH President John Cass during his Nov. 19 presentation to the Oxford Twp. Zoning Board of Appeals (see related story). ‘We are receiving white collar workers for the first time, who are embarassed and even cry at the prospect of seeking help. They’re down on their luck. They’re struggling.?
‘The amount of food that we’re giving away is just mind-boggling to us at this time,? said Pantry Coordinator Valarie Cass. ‘All of our clients go through a client interview so we don’t have anybody that doesn’t need food from us.?
Despite the community’s generosity in the face of hard economic times, the food donations simply aren’t keeping pace with the increasing demand.
During the month of October, FISH distributed more than 12,000 pounds of food to 158 local households with 448 individuals in need.
FISH’s recent food drive (Nov. 5-14) netted the charity group more than 15,000 pounds in non-perishable food items donated by schools and churches.
‘That’s a tremendous amount of food that we got,? Valarie said. ‘But it’s (not even) going to last us (until) the first of February.?
And FISH doesn’t have another major food drive until May when local U.S. Postal carriers conduct one.
‘As you can see, this is a no-win situation that we’re facing,? John said.
‘The community is tremendously generous with us, but the need is so much greater,? Valarie said.
In past years, Valarie noted ‘probably 90 percent of the food we were giving out was donated by the community.?
‘Today, that’s not the case,? she said. ‘Now, the donations are down and the client requests are up.?
FISH is having to dip into its cash supply to buy groceries to keep its pantry shelves stocked. ‘Each month we have to go to the stores and purchase food for these people who are coming to us for help in emergency situations,? John said. ‘We are in a situation where we are drawing constantly on our meager resources to give food to these people, our neighbors, your neighbors.?
As a result, FISH may have to cut the financial assistance it gives the needy in other areas.
‘We’re considering at this time having to reduce the amount of the money that we have available for clients to help with rent and utilities because we’re buying so much food,? Valarie said.
To make a donation, financial or food, call (248) 693-0638 or e-mail mmoxfordorionfish@sbcglobal.net.
To learn more about FISH and all the good its volunteers do visit oxfordorionfish.org.