With so many people celebrating at this time of year, Second Harvest Food Bank officials said it’s important to remember those who are struggling to have food on their tables.

“Hunger is a challenge year round,” said Keith Williamson, regional director of Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties. “But it’s more of a challenge during the holidays – children shouldn’t have to ask for food for Christmas.”

This year’s fundraising drive is still about $11,000 behind the $26,000 goal.

“We are very effective in providing food because of our membership in the Feeding America Network,” said Williamson. “We can provide four meals for every dollar that’s donated.”

Second Harvest offers 90 food programs in the area, and most are filled to capacity.

“Sometimes they don’t have enough volunteers to stay open and have to turn people away,” Williamson said. “Our pantry here sees 35 to 40 families every day, and sometimes more. We try to fit in as many as we can. Our mobile pantry crossed the 20,000 people served mark this year. The need is there and we need more food.”

According to Williamson, the face of poverty has changed over the past five years. It used to be mostly seniors on fixed income that needed help.

“Now we’re seeing an increase in the working poor who are struggling to pay for gas and heat, and food becomes an option,” he said.

Between 85 to 100 new families need help each month in Clark County

“This is probably the most challenging thing I’ve seen,” he said. “Especially at Christmas time. But it’s the reality.”

If you would like to help, send a check payable to Springfield News-Sun Food Relief in the envelope be provided in the News-Sun on Dec. 30, or send a check to Springfield News-Sun Food Relief, P.O. Box 1408S, Springfield, OH 45501. You can also donate online at www.donate2help.org.