A recent increase in food donations is pleasing to officials at the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, but they know the facility may only be benefitting from holiday generosity.

They also know donations typically decline after Christmas and the increased need for food assistance driven by a poor national economy isn't likely to disappear in a month.

Food donated to the Food Bank is distributed to nearly 100 agencies in Lake and Porter counties. Here is a more intense local look at some of those agencies as well as others that provide assistance to the hungry.

CENTER TOWNSHIP

The number of applications for assistance has jumped from 12 to 27 monthly, Center Township Trustee Eldon Strong said. Center Township includes Crown Point south of Summit Street and Cedar Lake east of Cline Avenue.

With the help of a program at Jewel where shoppers were asked to donate money for Thanksgiving baskets, Strong was able to distribute 27 baskets to township residents. However, he said he polled other south county trustees who said they would easily be able to give away about 100 baskets to families for Christmas.

Strong said he and his employees try to put those asking for help at ease.

"It's difficult to say, 'Hey, I need help,' " he said.

The office food pantry has been used extensively, Strong said, but thanks to recent food drives, the pantry will remain well-stocked for the time being.

That said, Strong said the food drives play an important role in stocking the pantry, because without them it would cost about $20,000 a year to stock the pantry.

Strong said the first time someone comes in asking for food help, they will be given food with only a few questions asked. The next time someone comes in, they must fill out the application Strong has for anyone who asks for assistance. Once the application is turned in, Strong conducts an investigation within the next two days to determine the applicant's need. Those who qualify work at minimum wage jobs that benefit the township, such as clipping coupons, to pay off the assistance they've accepted.

HOBART TOWNSHIP

Hobart Food Pantry Director Theresia Larimore has seen a dramatic increase in the number of families needing food assistance this holiday season.

"We're up 60 percent with our clients," she said.

In order to qualify for help, she said residents living in New Chicago, Hobart and Lake Station first must contact the Hobart Township trustee's office at (219) 942-0055 and qualify through that department.

The Hobart Food Pantry is in need of all nonperishable food items and personal care items.

The items can be dropped off from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the pantry, 200 S. Hobart Road, she said.

The need for food by families affected by the mid-September floods was so great that Hobart resident Krista Kaiser started a new food pantry called Abundant Life Food Pantry at 3098 E. 37th Ave.

Kaiser, who had gotten experience by working at the Portage Food Pantry, said she has served more than 80 families since opening her Hobart-based food pantry's doors Sept. 28.

"Some are coming due to the floods but I'm also getting low-income families where the breadwinner is getting laid off from his or her job," she said.

Those in need of food items can just walk in, but must bring a bill with their current address and an ID.

"I'm sticking with those who live in the New Chicago, Hobart and Lake Station area," she said.

She said she offers pre-made bags of groceries for families that include peanut butter and jelly, vegetables, fruit cocktail, beans, chili, rice, and macaroni and cheese.

"They can sign in and get as much bread as they want," she said.

Kaiser, who said she also would appreciate any donations to her pantry, can be reached at (219) 840-0585.

Lake Station also has its own food pantry with those needing help asked to first contact the Lake Station mayor's office at (219) 962-2081.

NORTH TOWNSHIP

Social service agencies and faith-based organizations within the five cities and towns of North Township are reporting varying experiences with the need for holiday food assistance due to the current economic upheaval.

Reports range from "close to doubling" in East Chicago to "seeing it coming" in Munster.

The township covers Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting, Highland and Munster.

Catholic Charities caseworker Maria Lopez said the agency typically sees more need through the holidays, but the current economic slump is doubling the usual need in East Chicago. More underemployed as well as unemployed people are visiting the East Chicago office, she said.

"The people with food stamps can't seem to make ends meet," Lopez said. "The food need is not going to let up."

At the other end of the spectrum, in more affluent Munster, some people are seen heading toward a similar fate.

Carol Szaks, director of Jewish Community Services in Munster, said she's preparing for the worst.

"I see it coming," she said. "I hear it more and more."

Based on her own round of calls to a variety of agencies in the township, Jane Dudley, chief deputy to North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan, said little or no impact can be detected.

Dudley doesn't expect the fallout to really be felt until January or February, well after the holiday season.

Most families just being struck by the downturn first will look toward exhausting their own resources, she said.

"The first month, they can pretty much get by," she said. "The second month they're hoping for something to happen, another job, receiving unemployment benefits, a spouse finding a part-time job."

By the third month, they need outside assistance. "Now bills are past due, there's no more food in the pantry, kids are out of school supplies," she said.

"It's too soon to see the impact with the holidays," she said. "People are still upbeat. In my experience, they don't run to an agency right away."

ROSS TOWNSHIP

The number of people seeking assistance from the Ross Township trustee's office has increased about 50 percent since last year, Trustee John Rooda said.

The township provides services to residents in Merrillville, northern Crown Point and southwestern Hobart.

Rooda said flood victims from north Merrillville and the extreme south of the town have visited the office, 24 W. 73rd Ave., seeking food assistance.

There also have been people coming to the location because they are out of work.

"We've seen a lot more people who have been laid off," Rooda said.

The office has a small food pantry to provide immediate assistance, but many people receive referrals to go to the food pantry at SS. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 8000 Madison St.

Contact the Ross Township trustee's office at (219) 769-2111 for more information.

ST. JOHN TOWNSHIP

At the St. John Township Community Center in Schererville, the pantry shelves are stocked with a record amount of donated food. At the same time, the demand for that food is the highest in recent years, St. John Township Trustee Jean Shepherd said.

"I've never seen so many donations," she said. "We're overwhelmed with all the donations of food right now."

Donations aren't coming only in the form of money and groceries.

"They're also asking, 'Can I help you?' giving their time," Shepherd said.

The food pantry at the township center can help people in the short term, until they apply for and receive food stamps. If someone drops in for help, as long as the person can prove they live in the township, that person won't leave hungry, she said.

"You will get food immediately," she said.

People asking for help need to make an appointment and are asked to fill out a two-page form the first time, but they will leave with food if they need it.

"I'm not going to let you walk away from here hungry," she said.

On a person's first visit to the township's food pantry, the staff will provide a list of organizations and government agencies that can help. Food stamps, for example, don't cover soap, toothbrushes, deodorant and toilet paper.

Pride shouldn't get in the way of someone seeking help.

"There is absolutely no way that anyone should be embarrassed," Shepherd said. "There is not shame in asking for help."

The township's role is to provide temporary relief and help people get back on their feet, she said.

To make an appointment with St. John Township for food assistance, call (219) 865-2705.