Oct. 28--Although economists say the recession is over, the recovery will take months, if not a few years.

And the Olathe Salvation Army Food Pantry continues to see an increase in people needing help during these difficult times. The need, however, has changed in recent months.

"We're seeing people we normally don't serve," said Mindia McManness, volunteer coordinator for the Olathe Salvation Army. "They call us not knowing even how to get help because they've never needed it before. They don't know where to begin."

They've lost their jobs or are experiencing other difficulties because of the floundering financial markets.

"They've run out savings or maxed out credit cards, something that usually helped them through short-term difficulties in the past," McManness said.

This recession has gone on much longer than expected, and the impending recovery will take even longer, leading to a new pool of people needing assistance.

Shelves once filled with canned corn, spaghetti noodles, chili, pork and beans or peanut butter and jelly are empty more frequently, and tight food supplies have become the rule, not the exception, all around the metro area.

"There is a continual need to replenish all the food pantries," said Maj. Teri Martsolf, commander of the Olathe Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army did receive some relief last week from Price Chopper in Kansas City. The grocery store company donated 22 pallets of food, which was distributed to Salvation Army food pantries throughout the metro area.

Olathe received four of the pallets, which included a variety of canned goods.

"We were blessed to receive part of that donation," Martsolf said.

But with an increase in demand, the food won't stay on the shelves for long, and the need for donations is always there, Martsolf said.

Anyone wanting to donate food or money for the food pantry can call the Salvation Army at 913-782-3640.

To see more of The Olathe News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.olathedailynews.com/.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Olathe News, Kan.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

<< -- 10/29/2009>>