NORTH JUDSON – The Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary Mobile Food Pantry recently traveled to Starke County in hopes of bringing hope and joy to struggling residents. On Oct. 3, members of the mobile pantry teamed up with volunteers from Ss. Cyril and Methodius’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul to distribute food to Starke County residents in need of assistance.
Even before the distribution began, a long line of vehicles filed out of the parish parking lot and down Keller Avenue.
“It was very encouraging to see all the people who showed up for the pantry. This is important to them,” said Tina Gunnum, food pantry manager for Catholic Charities. “You could definitely tell there is a need here after speaking to them. They’re in a food desert.”
For the members of the parish’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the need for assistance is seen constantly. They explained the need in Starke County comes from a high percentage of people on government assistance, unemployed and underemployed residents, and the elderly.
“When we started St. Vincent de Paul here in Starke County nearly 26 years ago, we never imagined that we would be in the situation that we are today… helping as many people in need as we do now,” said Frank Skronski, director of the program.
Six other volunteers from the group helped with the distribution. “We were more than happy to help,” said Skronski.
St. Vincent de Paul member Janet Landato said the group also gives away nonperishable items on the last Saturday of every month. “We have so many people with much need. It means a lot to see the long line. We ran out of food and still people were coming in.”
The day’s distribution resulted in 50 households receiving a total of 150 bags of groceries. Chicken, eggs, fresh fruit, canned vegetables, toilet paper and cereal were some of the items handed out.
Gunnam brought in her heavy lifter, David Halton, to help load and unload the groceries. “I’m the go-to guy when it comes to heavy lifting,” Halton boasted. He especially likes to work with his 91-year-old father, who wasn’t at the North Judson distribution.
Gunnam said helping out brings Halton “happiness, joy and a sense of gratefulness.” It breaks her heart to see so many people in need of assistance, but being able to serve them is very uplifting.
“It was very exciting to see all the people and their smiling faces. It’s always a blessing to be a blessing,” said Gunnum. “This was definitely a huge hit and I’m excited to be here. It’s a beautiful community and we plan to be back.”
Gunnam explained the need throughout the diocese is partially due to the increased cost of groceries. “The need has extremely increased. People who were making it, like middle income families, were making it paycheck to paycheck. Now with the increase in the cost of food and gas prices, they’re no longer making it. It’s very difficult to make a meal for their family that’s affordable because of the high cost of meat,” she said.
Gunnam joined Catholic Charities in November 2022 serving roughly 500 individuals a month. For the month of September 2023, she served 2,115 individuals. “I would say there is a definite need.
“There’s even more (people) out there I don’t know about. A lot of these people are hiding. They don’t come out and say they need help, so I try to find them,” said Gunnam.
As the colder weather and holidays approach, Gunnam believes numbers of the needy will increase. “I think it will be doubled this year because more people have lost their jobs. How are they going to get toys? How are they going to celebrate Christmas?
“There’s no boundary for the need. Our diocese serves the poor across the four counties and there’s definitely a need in all the counties,” said Gunnam.
Funding and donations have been a hurdle for practically all food pantries. Gunnam said it’s been awhile since the mobile food pantry has been to Starke County due to a lack of funding. “We get grant money at times, but it’s for very specific counties. That’s why it took us this long to get to Starke County. It comes down to funding,” she said.
She urges people to help those in need by making financial donations to the Catholic Charities Food Bank. Donations can be earmarked for specific counties.
Virginia Keehn, of North Judson, and her son, Michael, were in the last batch of vehicles who made it before the group ran out of bagged groceries. “It’s a blessing,” said Michael.
“It’s a big help. Groceries have gotten so high. With just my Social Security, it’s hard,” said Virginia. “It especially helps (Michael) out because he’s on disability and doesn’t get that much a month.”
Kevin Galloway, of Knox, was the recipient of the last of the groceries. “I’m happy I got here in time,” he said. “It means the world to me to receive these items. My mother and I are on a fixed income. I lost work, so it helps her out a little bit until I get work.”
Galloway and his mom have never been to the food pantry before but expressed their gratitude for the assistance. “Even if it’s (just) eggs and bread, it’s a big help.”
Caption: Volunteers from Ss. Cyril and Methodius assist with the Catholic Charities Mobile Food Pantry distibution in North Judson on Oct. 3. (Bob Wellinski photo)