SALISBURY — With an often slow donation season coming, Rowan Helping Ministries is asking for a hand.
The area’s largest food pantry said it has been low on cereal and breakfast foods — products that are typically the most expensive — for about three months. Jelly and pasta are running on fumes, too, volunteers said.
Kyna Grubb, executive director of the organization, said a generous donor supplied more than 200 jars of peanut butter earlier this week.
But high-protein products like peanut butter go quickly. The amount is expected to last until about Tuesday.
Some area organizations are launching food drives to aid the slumping donations.
In a Facebook post on Friday, High Rock Church West, at 710 W. Jake Alexander Boulevard, urged interested folks to donate non-perishables.
“Due to the extremely cold temperatures,” the post said, “food supplies are running critical low.”
The church said supplies are being collecting in the church lobby before and after the weekend’s services. The drive is spearheaded by the church’s student ministry.
Grubb said Rowan Helping Ministries sees an uptick in donations during the late fall months “then it sort of tapers off and then it picks up with the postal food drive in May.”
Along with canned food or packaged goods, the organization could also use more volunteers, she said, especially early risers who wouldn’t mind helping with breakfast at 4:30 a.m.
“If someone has a talent or a skill, we have a volunteer opportunity,” Grubb said.
Donors are also welcome to bring cash to the facility at 226 N. Long Street. Through a partnership with Second Harvest, the organization is able to purchase funds at a low-cost per pound.
Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.