By KATHY WILLIAMS

HERALD DEMOCRAT

BONHAM -- Hunger in Fannin County is growing, just as it is across America, and Friday, North Texas Food Bank conducted a summit to better address food security.

Representatives of three food pantries, all located in Bonham, presented information about their programs to local government officials, non-profit organizations, environmental groups, schools and churches.

"We heard loud and clear that hunger exists in rural communities," Colleen Brinkman, chief philanthropy officer for North Texas Food Bank, said, detailing the lessons her agency learned Friday. "Hunger is silent here and because it is silent, it's harder to solve."

The relationship between the bad economy and hunger has just been detailed in the report "Hunger in America 2010." Data for the report was collected between February and June 2009 by the Feeding America network.

"North Texas Food Bank provides emergency food assistance to an estimated 64,000 people in any given week, an 80-percent increase over 2006," the report stated. "We serve an estimated 345,000 people annually." Thirty-seven million Americans, or 1 in 8, currently receive emergency food assistance through the Feed America network.

NTFB's report also defined how much harm the poor economy is bringing to those with few resources. More than half of the 64,000 the program helps feed must choose between buying food and paying utility bills. Fewer North Texas households have at least one employed adult living in the home: 29 percent compared with 40 percent in the 2006 study. About 35 percent must choose between buying food and paying rent or mortgage and 40 percent choose between food and medicine or health care.

Rural areas have particular problems with senior hunger. Many older women were farm wives and have little Social Security income on which to depend. And many who retired with adequate incomes at 65, find they have outlived their savings and must make difficult choices in their daily lives.

Speakers for the three pantries that took part in the summit verified they have seen similar increases in those who seek their services. They said all the agencies need the same things to meet the increasing demand for services: More funding, more volunteers; more equipment and transportation to get people to food and food to people. All three pantries have clients throughout Fannin County. Being in the outlying areas of the county can create hardship for those who need services and live in outlying areas.

Vicki Hutchins spoke on behalf of Fannin County Community Ministry; Tillman Boyd spoke for Fannin Pantry; and Pastor Adam Barker represented Manna House.

North Texas Food Bank partners with 271 non-profit and faith-based organizations to distribute food donated by grocery store and food producers, as well as federal commodities. The local charities distribute the food. The program has changed over the years, but currently, the local agencies order food and North Texas Food Bank delivers it to them in bulk. Volunteers with the local pantries divide the bulk food into boxes for individuals and families. School districts play a strong role in feeding children during school and in special summer programs.

During the summit, the agencies said they are looking at computer software solutions to better coordinate their efforts. They also are seeking Spanish speaking volunteers.

Tillman said the summer program to feed students suffers from a lack of participation that probably comes from lack of publicity. Lunches are provided for free to all children age 18 and younger. The food is served from 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m. Monday through Friday June 7 through July 30 at Finley Oates Elementary School and L.H. Rather Junior High School. Texoma Area Paratransit System provides rides for children who otherwise would not be able to get to the summer food service. The Bonham Kiwanis Club funds the TAPS rides.

For more information about the summer lunch program, call Phyllis Kinnaird at Bonham Independent School District 903-640-5713.

Fannin Pantry is open from noon to 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at 1100 W. 5th St. Emergency food is available by appointment by calling 903 -227-0260. Information on Manna House services can be found at 913 S. 5th Street or by calling 903-583-3910. Fannin County Community Ministry, 800 E. Second St. is open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday and is open late the first and third Tuesday of each month -- call 903-583-3663.

For more information about fighting hunger or finding help with food, contact North Texas Food Bank at 214-330-1396 or visit www.ntfb.org.