Our Daily Bread seeks help to meet growing need for food

November 3, 2008

Dennis Murphy, Program Manager Our Daily Bread/ODBEC Operations, shows the depleted pantry of Our Daily Bread.

Catholic Charities’ Our Daily Bread is asking for increased support to help feed Baltimore’s hungry. In the past month, the number of guests has increased from a daily average of 675 to 776, an increase of 100 people per day. At the same time, Our Daily Bread (ODB) has experienced a 20 percent decrease in monetary donations. The number of donated casseroles, the main part of the noon meal, has also gone down. In October, ODB received 482 casseroles less than expected. The noon meal usually includes a serving of a casserole, a vegetable, bread, and dessert and is often the only meal of the day for people who dine there.

“Generous financial support from our supporters has always been essential to the life of this program. Now we’re all feeling the pinch,” says Dennis Murphy, Program Manager Our Daily Bread/ODBEC Operations. “We’re feeding more people at a time when we have fewer resources. It’s difficult. Our Daily Bread has never once closed its door in the 27 years of operation. This is because of the commitment of those who support our work of feeding the hungry and working poor of Baltimore. We are now asking people, if they are able, to please help us to fill the void we are experiencing. We’ve been through difficult times before and our guests know they can always count on us.”

In addition to financial donations, there is an ongoing need for nonperishables such as assorted pasta, rice, beans, and canned tomatoes. Gift cards from bulk warehouses and grocery stores are also appreciated. In addition, Murphy says that bread and dessert donations are low. Restaurants and grocery stores that make the bulk of these donations from their surplus orders are also being pinched by spiraling prices. “Wholesale or retail outlets and civic groups who can donate bread and desserts help to round out the meal,” says Murphy.
To make a financial donation to ODB, call 410-547-5490. To donate staples or to volunteer at Our Daily Bread, call 443-986-9000.

Unfortunately, Our Daily Bread is not the only Catholic Charities program experiencing a serious shortage of food donations. The pantry at Sarah’s House shelter in Anne Arundel County that feeds the families in residence there is extremely low. To donate food items call 410-551-7722.