People are hungry, said John Glasgow at the quarterly Interfaith Community Services meeting in October after the group heard one food bank operator relay the need for more food.

“I know the food pantries in the county have seen an increase in requests, as have DSS caseworkers for food stamps,” says Sarah Smith, an economic specialist for the Department of Social Services who screens food requests for ICS.

Smith says food stamp requests may have almost doubled from last year.

And requests have also doubled at The Living Hope Foundation’s Our Daily Bread food pantry where Glasgow serves as director of operations.

“We’re going from feeding 135 to close to 300 families a month,” Glasgow said. “So the need for food is truly a part of Newberry.”

“In today’s economy, we see people that were once working, who now are not working or working part time who have emergency needs (and) come into our food pantry,” he said.

Our Daily Bread pantry provided roughly 45,000 pounds of food at an estimated $70,000 value last year with help from donors.

Through community connections, The Living Hope Foundation is “blessed” with food from Merchants’ Foods which gives several pallets a week, Food Lion, Bi-Lo, Wal-Mart, food drive support, and for a small cost, food from Harvest Hope, says Glasgow.

Both Glasgow and Smith, who also screens for the Manna House food bank, say most who get the food are grateful.

Some even return later to volunteer, passing food out to others, said Glasgow.

And with multiple food banks around the county—Smith recalls five at last count—she says there is help for the hungry.

“The resources are there for people and are available if needed,” Smith said.

Here is a snapshot of available food help:

Manna House

Open Monday-Friday excluding state holidays from 1-2 p.m.

Recipients must be Newberry County residents. Once a family receives food they cannot receive more food for 12 months.

The operation is run by churches in Newberry County.

Our Daily Bread

Open Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. on Louis Rich Road.

Recipients must bring personal I.D. and a social security card and go though an intake process with an interview. Living Hope keeps a computer trail on each household, said Glasgow. Recipients do not have to live in the county.

The wait after receiving food is 90 days.

“We know who we’re giving it to,” said Glasgow. “And we don’t turn them down. We’re based on the honor system and if someone said (they’re in) need, we try to fill that need,” he said.

THANKSGIVING GIVING

• A free Thanksgiving community meal of grace at Grace Lutheran Church in Prosperity on the corner of US76 and Grace Street

A blessing of God for you and your family – for anyone who could benefit from a traditional meal with others on this day of giving thanks.

THANKSGIVING DAY

Thursday

Three settings:

11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon

Reservations are required and spaces are limited. To reserve a spot for you or your family, you must call the church office, 364-3331, before noon tomorrow.

Grace menu includes:

Carved turkey or Boston butt pork

Stuffing and gravy

Sweet potatoes/ yams

Green beans

Cranberry sauce

Homemade bread/ rolls

Homemade pie

• Delivered Thanksgiving meals from Lewis Memorial United Methodist Church at 1105 First St, Newberry, will be feeding 100 and delivering meals on Thanksgiving Day.

• Community Thanksgiving Worship

Join in worship at Miller Chapel A.M.E. Church tonight at 7 p.m. with the Newberry community.

Give thanks to God with neighbors and hear preaching from the Rev. Elizabeth Morgan of St. Luke’s Episcopal and special music from combined church choirs.