Pocono News Section

Emergency Food Pantry Faces its Own Emergency

Emergency Food Pantry Faces its Own Emergency - Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 1:57PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009 @ 01:57pm EST
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY - An emergency food bank needs some emergency help. The Follow Me Foundation in Stroudsburg can no longer use a large portion of the building it is in.

The line at the Follow Me Foundation food pantry seems to get longer all the time. Deborah Labin of Tobyhanna said, "It helps me. It's a salvation for me."

The pantry helps the working poor, senior citizens and people who the economy has knocked down. "You really need this pantry because it really helps a lot," said Desiree Coulter of Tobyhanna. She told Eyewitness News she lost her job a month ago. She said some days she just doesn't eat. She explained, "It's really scary because sometimes when you're hungry and you have don't have no food all you could do really is say well i'm tired - I'm just going to go to sleep to try not to think about it."

The pantry helps up to 300 families a month and they do it all out of just 400 square feet. "We are in dire straits," said Deacon Jerry Reynolds. He and his wife Sue run the Follow me Foundation. They used to own a business in the pantry building so they stored food wherever they needed. But they sold their business to focus on the pantry. The new building owner can't spare any space so the pantry is crammed in a corner.

Jerry isn't sure how much longer he can operate under these conditions. he said, "The lines seem to be getting bigger and bigger and people are standing outside in the cold."

He and many people who need the pantry hope someone will offer the Follow Me Foundation some space. Labin cried, "If there was a way that I could give money I would - but I don't have the money - I just have a heart."

If you would like to help contact Jerry or Sue at 570-420-1077.