DECATUR - As the cost of fuel, food and utilities have risen in recent years, so has many residents' need for assistance from Decatur's food pantries.

"We have seen our usage go up over the past two years by at least 20 percent," said Robin Murray, community services supervisor for Catholic Charities. "On the average day, we see 15 to 20 new families."

Catholic Charities is feeling ever-increasing pressure to meet the needs of these people, some of whom aren't able to work.

"These are folks that are disabled, unemployed, laid off from their jobs, struggling on fixed incomes with Social Security or Social Security disability and not making much above the federal poverty guidelines, and they depend on the food pantries to get them through the month," Murray said.

Maj. Bob Gauthier of the Salvation Army sees the same situations every day, from those chronically in need to others who just need a little help to get them through a tough time.

"Lately, we are seeing more and more people who are gainfully employed in our community," he said. "Both mom and dad may have minimum-wage jobs.

"But with the high cost of gas and utilities and prices rising at the store, we are seeing more and more of those people coming to us for assistance."

Gauthier reported the Salvation Army location on South Church Street saw 200 new families in August and 150 each in June and July, an increase from last year at the same time.

Jerry Pelz, long-time director of the Northeast Community Fund, shares the concerns of Gauthier and Murray. He, too, is seeing many new faces every month and says the fund gives out more food boxes in two days than it did in an entire month just a decade ago. And with Ameren's recent price hikes, he predicts the situation will not improve any time soon.

"That increase ¦ is going to have a huge impact on the working poor," he said. "The problem is it's the basic things we've seen the price increases in. If you need transportation to get back and forth to work, you need to pay higher gas prices but have less take-home money.

"Grocery prices have really soared as well. We've noticed that in the cost it's taken us to purchase the items we get in bulk."

As cold weather approaches, the pantries need fully stocked shelves to meet this growing demand. Murray and Gauthier are keeping their fingers crossed that the WSOY Community Food Drive on Friday will bring in enough to get them through the winter.

For those who plan to donate to the drive or directly to the pantries, Murray suggests food items such as canned vegetables and fruit; protein such as beef stew, beans, chili and peanut butter, pasta and jarred sauce and one-dish boxed meals such as macaroni and cheese and Hamburger Helper.

For those who prefer writing a check, the pantries will gladly take a financial gift.

"It's very beneficial for us to have the cash," Pelz said. "We have a shared maintenance agreement with a food bank that allows us the right to purchase any food they have at 18 cents a pound, whether it's cereal or T-bone steak."

The other pantries use these food banks, in Springfield in Bloomington, as well.

But nonperishable food items are not all that is needed. Each of these organizations provides assistance with other necessities, such as clothing, furniture, appliances, prescription medications, transportation, temporary lodging and special Christmas boxes and baskets.

Pelz said the gift boxes include bread, milk, ham or turkey, fruit and more, along with toys provided by Dove, Inc. And if someone wanted to donate home-baked Christmas cookies, he'd gladly take those, too.

Despite the pressing need of those they see every day, the leaders of these organizations are not discouraged. They remain optimistic and grateful to the citizens of Decatur who can and do give of what they have, including those who give to the United Way, which in turn supports the pantries.

"I've found Decatur to be a very giving community," Pelz said. "Most people know either a friend or a relative or neighbor who has been touched by the economic downturn, and I think they can identify with that."

Murray says that it's because people are willing to give that she is still able to do her job.

"I see firsthand the need, and it's just a very rewarding job to be able to help those people," she said. "I add my thanks and gratitude to everyone in the community that supports the food drive in any capacity, whether they are contributing food or supporting us with their financial contributions."

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