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^ood Pantry reaches crisis point
BY ELLIS CUEVAS
The Hancock County Food Pantry, in operation for over five years, is approaching a crisis point, it was revealed at an executive committee meeting Wednesday.
President Mrs. Ina Piazza said, “We have never really worried about being able to stay open. But, the number of families (assisted) monthly has doubled in 1991.”
“This is in addition to our referral system being more stringent than ever before. All recipients are required to have a referral slip from
“Our expenses are at abare minimum, just a telephone bill and $15 gas money for a person who collects bread on regular basis.”
“Space and utilities are provided by the county; volunteers from the community’s churches operate the pantry and area churches make special collections of food and cash.
“In October there is a school food drive, and individuals, businesses, organizations make donations, some small funding also somces from the Hancock County United Way, this is how we operate,” Johnson allowed.
Mrs. Wilma McMahon, treasurer, sends a financial report each month to the Hancock County Board of Supervisors and officers of the United Way.
County residents Mr. and Mrs. George Sauzer are the purchasing agents for the Food Pantry.
Mrs. Piazza said, “They travel locally, and as far as Biloxi to the Twelve Baskets, a government
the welfare department, health department, a doctor, or the minister of the month,” Mrs. Piazza added.
A system is now in effect where one minister serves on a rotating basis for a monthly term, eliminating duplication.
The number of families served by the Food Pantry in five years has been 5,039, for a total of
16,122	people.
Mrs. Evelyn Johnson, vice-president, stated,
PANTRY—Page 5A
agency with vei*y special food prices, to buy necessary items for the pantry. In addition to donating their time, they also donate the use of their vehicles.”
The school food drive is now underway and will end Friday. Officers and directors of the Food Pantry are hoping it will be very successful.
In order to address upcoming shortages, a speakers bureau has been established at the Food Pantry, which includes Johnson, Mrs. Teen DeRocha and Robert Boudin, who would like to address your group or organization. For further information call Boudin at the Civil Defense office, 467-9226.
“To stay open, the Hancock County Food Pantry will need the help of all of the churches, schools, organizations, businesses, residents, groups and volunteers in Hancock County,” Mrs. Piazza emphasized.
J Food Pantry’s school food drive underway
BY ELLIS CUEVAS
The annual Hancock County Food Pantry school food drive will be held through Friday, October 18, said Wilma McMahon, treasurer.
The drive involves students from all schools located in Hancock County, who bring canned and other non-perishable food items to their respective schools. Food will be collected by Coast Electric employees on Friday, Oct. 18.
Jolly Rogers Printing assists the Food Pantry school food drive.
Last year some 5,000 items were collected by the students, and all of it was distributed almost immediately, McMahon said.
Students who bring cans or packages of food items to school will each receive a ticket for a free drink from Waffles in Bay St. Louis.
The Food Pantry, located in the old jail behind the Hancock County Courthouse, is open from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday and is operated by some 60 volunteers from area churches.
“The demand is great at this time, because of an increase in the number of applicants, which has almost doubled in recent months.” McMahon said.
The Food Pantry recently celebrated five years in operation and is now serving more than 200 families a month, Aileen Sauzer, secretary, said.