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cup feeding increasing numbers of hungry, finding it hard to keep up

Story by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

When Etta stopped by the Catholic Urban Programs office to get food, she brought her reusable bags along. CUP gives families boxes for the groceries, but if you don’t have a car or a ride, you can’t carry a box out to the bus stop, especially if you’re way past 65.

That was the case last week when the older woman asked CUP staff member Chris York if she could get some laundry soap as well.

York said the numbers of people needing assistance are up, and the numbers of people calling who have never received assistance in the past are growing too.

Folks call to find out what kind of paper work they need to bring to the office to qualify for food, York said.
That’s when she discovers this is their first encounter with CUP’s food pantry.

CUP has been feeding the hungry for many years, but Mr. Hubbard’s cupboard is looking rather bare these days, he said. Joe Hubbard, coordinator of CUP said their supplies are being depleted by the growing number of families in need of food.

York said many families must choose whether to spend the money they have on food or medicine.
“Most families are running out of food; they’re trying to stretch out their budget, especially if they’re unemployed” and living on a restricted income, York added.

Those on Social Security sometimes only make $674.00 a month, resulting in the choice to spend their money on food or medicine, York added.

In December alone CUP gave food to 512 people, York said. Those people included seniors, adults, teens and children. The amount of food distributed depends on the size of a family, she said.

For example, every box contains meat — lunch meat or perhaps bacon for a smaller family with a larger family receiving a chicken, York said.

Basically, families receive whatever CUP has. Right now, York said, many families receive a blanket with their box of food because of a donation from Memorial Hospital in Belleville.

“When the hospital bought new blankets for the beds, they gave us the blankets,” York said. “It was a very generous donation.”

If CUP receives dairy products — milk, eggs or margarine — those items go fast.
When CUP runs out of food, they must purchase it, Hubbard said.

“We have to buy food all the time” these days, York said because of the volume of people.

Food boxes contain cereal, crackers, noodles, canned meat, fruit (if it’s on the shelf) and vegetables.
York said they run out of cereal and canned goods often, and they hardly ever get bread. “People would like to have bread,” she said.

To donate items, bring them to #7 Vieux Carre, just off Ill. 157 in East St. Louis or call 398-5616 for large donations and CUP will pick them up.

Cash donations are also welcome. Please send checks made out to CUP at P.O. Box 3310, East St. Louis, Ill., 62203.