BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Mercedes Hall has helped feed hundreds of kids around Clay County over the last few years.
And now, she’s asking for help.
“We have a very small, tight knit group of overwhelmed people because we need more people to step up and help.”
Hall said the group is in need of more volunteers, a shortage they’ve dealt with since the start of the summer. She said they went to biweekly deliveries this year as a result of the shortage.
“It’s 100% volunteer ran and that’s one major reason that we are struggling right now, is because we have a lack of volunteers,”
Jennifer Buell is the assistant agency director at Catholic Charities. She said 47% of children at Clay Community schools receive free or price-reduced lunches.
She said food insecurity, defined as the lack of access to enough nutritious food to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, can lead to long-term problems for children.
“The summer can be really tough on them. But not only for that summer, we could be talking about delays in development that are going to last an entire lifetime for them,” Buell said.
Hall said the next delivery date is July 3. The program posted on Facebook they will need about 20 people to help pack, and 15 to help deliver food to about 480 kids they are currently serving.
Those interested in volunteering or donating can check out the Clay County youth food delivery program Facebook page. Those in need of assistance can find more resources on Catholic Charities website.
