Local Food Banks Struggling

The holidays will be difficult for Daniel Wheelus and his family. Wheelus recently lost his job.

"I owe more than I'm bringing in so yeah, it's tough," says Wheelus. "The jobs just aren't out there like they used to be, right now, I'm doing just a little bit of this and a little bit of that just to make ends meet."

Wheelus and his family have turned to Catholic Social Services in Robertsdale. But CSS might not be able to help as many people this holiday season. Because of the recession, food shelves are empty and donations are down...but the number of families in need of assistance continues to rise.

"We have so many people coming in for help, the food goes out quickly so I do worry," says Michele Prockup of CSS. "People who have never ever been to an agency and asked for help and they're freaked out, they don't know how to ask for help, they're embarrassed but they come because they have to."

CSS says they'll be lucky if they can survive the Thanksgiving rush and Christmas help to the community could be impossible.

"Right now we need food," says Prockup. "We've had a number of calls this week from people wanting turkeys and we don't have turkeys so I'm hoping people will donate turkeys so we can give them out before Thanksgiving."

If you'd like to help a family in need and donate a Thanksgiving turkey, call Catholic Social Services at 947-2293.