By By Lisa Tindell
news editor
Volunteers at the Brewton Community food bank were busy Tuesday, loading bags of canned goods and other basic food items for families in need.
And they expect more families to seek their services as the holidays approach.
A group of volunteers work each Tuesday to distribute food packages filled with basic food items to those in need. The Brewton community food bank operates from the United Methodist Church on Belleville Avenue.
Meanwhile, lunch sites for the elderly are operated from the fellowship hall of St. Maurice Catholic Church on Lovelace Avenue in Brewton and the East Brewton Sail Center on Williamson Street.
At area nutrition centers, the number of participants has been consistent with a large number of homebound individuals requesting assistance.
Wendy Cooper, director of the Brewton Nutrition Center, said homebound requests are growing.
Sybil Gatwood, director at the East Brewton Sail Center, said participation is always at capacity.
Bilder said food bank volunteers have encouraged those who come regularly to be mindful of the calendar.
Food bank office volunteers Jeanette Stoshak and Anita Wall keep busy with distribution records and those requesting help.
The increase in those requesting assistance has grown considerably in the past months, Jeanette Stoshak said.
Wall said criteria for receiving assistance is based on need with only one piece of information being required.
Along with the basics, including rice, beans, canned vegetables and peanut butter, each bag that leaves the food bank has a little something extra.
Many food banks across the region are begging for assistance for those who make donations. However, donations to the Brewton food bank have been consistent, Wall said.
For information on donating to the Brewton Community Food Bank, call 867-8051. Contact the Brewton Nutrition Center at 867-8959 and the SAIL Center at 867-5568.
Lydia Grimes contributed to this story.