– Mary Garrison/Tribune-Courier || Carmen and Clarence Hatfield volunteer in the food pantry, preparing packages for those in need.

Needline experiences higher demand this holiday season

Average of two to
three new families
applying for aid
each week

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – Economic downturn continues to affect Marshall County citizens, and organizations like the Marshall County Caring Needline are feeling the crunch.

Needline director Becky Cornwell said the organization has seen a 25 percent decrease in contributions this year. However, the demand for services has risen more than that.

“I’m having two or three new families coming in each week,” Cornwell said. “We’ve seen several that used our services before that haven’t had to in several years, too.”

The largest factor Cornwell said she can see is unemployment and cut-backs in employee hours.

“We’ve got so many inquiring about Christmas assistance,” Cornwell said. “And that number just keeps climbing.”

However, there are those working to assist with contributions in any way possible. Recently, six of the county’s elementary and middle schools participated in food drives that brought in several thousand pounds of food to the organization.

In April, Feeding America and the Paducah Area Development District partnered with area Kroger Stores and Wal-Mart to distribute soon-to-expire food products such as meats, bakery and other items. Donations have meant that PADD was able to distribute over 1 million pounds of food in the 2009 fiscal year, 25 percent more food than was available for the hungry during the last fiscal year. In the eight county region it serves, including Marshall County, PADD official Deana Burkeen said the FA program has assisted some 9,000 people this year.

And with Christmas just a few weeks away, the demand continues to grow.

In addition to food needs, Needline is accepting toy contributions for children for the holiday season.

“We put together baskets for older kids and teenagers, as well,” Cornwell said.

Currently, the organization is preparing for its largest event of the year — the annual light show at Mike Miller Park.
The light show begins this Friday and will run from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31. Santa will be on hand for the little ones each weekend until Christmas, from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the main pavilion in the park.

The light show is free, however Cornwell said a booth is set up at the entrance to accept food or monetary contributions.

“They are always appreciated,” Cornwell said.

Volunteers are still needed for the event and the Santa booth, as well.

For more information on Needline services or to inquire about volunteering, visit www.mcneedline.com or call 527-0024. Marshall County Caring Needline is open from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.