Rescue Mission running low on food

PANAMA CITY — Without more donations, the pantry at the Panama City Rescue Mission could be bare in two weeks.

“We’ve got about two weeks until we run out of fruits and vegetables,” said communications manager Abby Stokes.

There are donations of other foods, including deliveries of baked goods from restaurants, but “all of the things that hold nutrition to keep our guests going are running out,” she said.

The mission typically sees a big increase in donations around Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this year donations decreased by 12 percent over the same period the year before.

While donations are down, demands for service have increased by about 30 percent, she said.

“The needs continue to rise,” the Rev. Billy Fox, executive director of the mission, said in a news release. “Two people per day sign in new to the mission. Meals are steady and well over 700 per day. Coupled with a low donation in food and funding at the holidays, we face some challenging times.”

Stokes said the decrease is uncharacteristic because donations have grown steadily each year through the recession and oil spill. She said she’s not sure what led to the decrease but it could be from negative attention on the mission from people unhappy with its location.

“The fact is people are still hungry,” she said. “They still need food.”

She said it’s not the first time the mission has been low on food.

“The Lord has always been faithful to pull us through it,” she said.

Those who would like to make donations can bring them to 609 Allen Ave. Those interested in hosting a drive should call Morgan Burleson at 481-1093.