As the weather warms up, local charities are looking to replenish their pantries and clothing stores after the winter took its toll on resources.
Burke United Christian Ministries, East Burke Christian Ministries and The Outreach Center are all in need of food and spring and summer clothing donations.
East Burke Christian Ministries, 103 Third Ave. SE, Hildebran, needs summer clothing, Executive Director Carolyn Yoder said.
The organization is always in need of non-perishable food items (such as canned foods) and paper products, Yoder said. Toiletries are often overlooked, but needed items as well.
The Outreach Center, 500 E. Fleming Drive, is "in need of all kinds of donations," Executive Director Holly Johnson said. The thrift store accepts household goods, furniture and clothing. The proceeds from the store supports the Outreach Center's programs.
The Outreach Center's food pantry is "always in need" of donations, Johnson said. Any type of canned foods and pastas are particularly needed.
BUCM Executive Director David Tate said oftentimes, the charity receives out-of-season clothing donations but hopes to get some in-season clothing as the temperatures rise.
The organization also needs food for its pantry, Tate said. In particular, the organization is hoping for peanut butter, canned meats and canned fruits.
Tate said BUCM's food harvesting program, which collects food items grocery stores would typically throw away, provides about 30,000 to 35,000 pounds of food per month, which collects numerous cans of particular foods such as green beans.
From November through February, BUCM distributed from 20,000 pounds to 51,000 pounds of food per month, Tate said. For November and December, the numbers are higher because BUCM also distributes food from mobile pantries.
All three charities experienced a tough winter as requests for assistance were up from previous years.
Tate said the amount of financial assistance BUCM provided from November to December was higher than the organization has ever given.
With the help of special grants, BUCM distributed more than $36,000 to households in need of heating assistance, Tate said. The organization usually helps about 500 households per month.
Yoder said all of East Burke Christian Ministries financial assistance funds were used during the winter. Families could apply for a $50 credit and around $8,000 was distributed.
Johnson said the Outreach Center itself struggled during the winter to pay the power and heating costs.
Because monetary donations were down that year and the need for assistance has increased "dramatically," the costs were "astronomical," Johnson said.
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