Make a difference in the lives of those who are hungry
ZANESVILLE — Tom Cover was hunched over in the parking lot of Coburn United Methodist Church, loading a box of food in the trunk of a stranger's car, when the man asked how much money he made.
"What do you mean?" Cover said.
The man stepped back as Cover closed the trunk and then repeated the question.
"You get paid from the government, right?" the man added. "This food is all free, so just wondering how much money you personally get."
It's a question Cover has heard before. People assume the work he has done for the past 15 years, running a food pantry out of a church, is for profit, some kind of government program.
In realty, Cover is a volunteer, and the pantry itself pays for the majority of the food distributed. With 17 percent of the population in Muskingum County listed as food insecure, according to Christ's Table, a local food resource nonprofit organization within the Hunger Network of Muskingum County, Cover said he feels a calling to help.
Now, in an effort to combat hunger, the Times Recorder, North Valley Bank and the Hunger Network are joining forces to organize the largest one-day food drive in the history of the network. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, which is Make a Difference Day.
Nonperishable food items will be collected at Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart on Maysville Pike, Riesbeck’s on Howard Street and all four North Valley Bank locations. The Times Recorder is donating $5,000 through the foundation of its parent company, Gannett, to help purchase food for the network.
The Hunger Network has received 309 calls for emergency food assistance in September, according to the United Way. Keeley Warden, executive director of Christ's Table, said families are often the most vulnerable.
"So many people are forced to choose between paying for rent and utilities over paying for adequate food," Warden said. "What people don't realize is that often these families in need have children, which means that children in our our neighborhoods are going hungry."
The food items collected on Make a Difference Day will be evenly distributed among the 20 pantries and hot meal agencies in Muskingum County. Shoppers at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Riesbeck's interested in donating will be offered a list of simple foods — spaghetti, crackers, peanut butter, canned items and other staples — which they can then use to purchase needed items to donate if they so choose. The Hunger Network also is seeking people to volunteer to sort food at the Salvation Army on Putnam Avenue later that day.
Cover, for his part, hopes people will donate.
"Like I said, these food pantries are supported by volunteers, some community support from local grocery stores and the churches who let us host out of their site," Cover said. "What this means is there's a constant struggle to help provide people in need with food, and our area really needs it."
Cover and other volunteers with the hunger network are hoping Make a Difference Day will be an opportunity to make a bigger dent in the area's hunger problem.
"If every person would just donate one small item, it would go a long way toward solving the hunger problem in the county," Cover said. "We just need help in order to help others."
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How to give and volunteer:
People who want to volunteer for Make a Difference Day can call Keely Warden of Christ's Table at 740-452-9766. To donate to the Make a Difference day food drive, drop off food at Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart on Maysville Pike, Riesbeck’s on Howard Street and all four North Valley Bank locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24.
People hoping to volunteer also can contact the programs of the Hunger Network, which include: Christ's Community, Christ's Table, Church of God and Saints of Christ, Coburn United Methodist, College Drive, Community Action Baby Pantry, Eastside Community Ministry, Fellowship of Christ's Community, Jubilee Pantry in Dresden, Lighthouse Pantry in Frazeyburg, Limestone Valley, Mount Sterling United Methodist Church, the Muskingum County Center for Seniors, North Terrace, the Roseville Pantry on North Main Street in Roseville, the Salvation Army Pantry, Salvation Army Hot Meal, South Zanesville United Methodist Church and Trinity Full Gospel We Care.
Other opportunities for giving
South Zanesville United Methodist Church will be hosting a scrap metal drive through December to raise money for its food pantry. People who want to donate scrap metal can do so at Muskingum Iron and Metal.