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Highlands Today

Groups try to stop food donation thieves

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By AIYANA BAIDA

Highlands Today

Published: November 22, 2009

AVON PARK - For some, standing in line for Thanksgiving donations is a necessity. For others it's an opportunity to take advantage of the system.

Double-dippers and scammers who take advantage of others' goodwill are taking from those who need help and charitable organizations are banning together to stop it.

"We try and peg those who are abusing the system," said Sandy Lopes, director of Alpha Omega Crisis Center.

Many times these scammers know how to use the system better than those who really need the help. Lopes said some of those who take advantage usually go to various organizations with a made up sob story, collect food donations and then sell them for drugs or alcohol.

"That's what we want to stop," Lopes said

Her agency works with the United Way, which has a checks and balance-type system. When a person comes in asking for help these agencies can call the United Way and check if they've ever been helped in the county.

This system prevents double and triple dipping, Lopes said.

Tough economy, more needy families
With an increasing unemployment rate and more businesses closing shop, double dipping into charitable goodwill has become a criminal offense - sort of.

One church director wants potential scammers to know, "They're denying someone else a meal."

For the last seven years, Bill Stephenson, executive director of Church Service Center in Avon Park, has been able put more food into donation bags for needy families during the holidays. But this year more families needing assistance exceeded the supplies available to fill those bags.

"Food is as important as keeping the electricity on or paying the rent. People need to eat everyday," Stephenson said, "Not just the holidays."

At Stephenson's center needy families can get food, clothing and help with their rent and utility bills.

Most of the clients walking through his doors are working part-time minimum wage jobs.

That's not enough to pay for basic needs when there are three or four mouths to feed, Stephenson said.

From January to October they've helped 812 new clients more than usual.

In 2005, 5,769 families were helped and in November and December, they were given food donations twice.

"But we can't do that this year," Stephenson said.

This year 6,359 families have received some kind of assistance from the center; more than they experienced in previous years.

"And we have two months to go," Stephenson said.

Making a list and checking it twice

Stephenson believes that the economy has a lot to do with the increasing need. This year some organizers have called Stephenson and asked for a list of families that need help.

Many of them are making their own lists to keep track of who gets what, where.

Arnold Wilson, Beachfront Community Outreach, called local churches for their lists to ensure that his 250 Thanksgiving turkey baskets go to families who really need it.

The Salvation Army sends their list to organizations that are offering holiday assistance to avoid duplicates.

"Unfortunately there is no county-wide list ... we tried several years ago but only a couple of agencies were receptive to doing it," Major Mary Holmessaid.

In their questionnaire they ask if they have received help from other organizations. Holmes hopes that this, along with the list sharing will deter double-dippers.

Stephenson wants potential double dippers to think about the needy families before taking more than their fair share.

"There's only so much to go around," Stephenson said.

Church food bank bookkeeping

The Ridge Area Seventh-day Adventist Church in Avon Park has been keeping track of their twice a month food bank donations for years. Their system rarely allows for any double-dipping. And as a result they have plenty to go around to those who need it.

John Horsham, community service director, receives non-perishable foods from the United States Department of Agriculture and Publix.

With the donations his church is able to service about 230 families a month. These families are able receive donations twice a month.

Since they're able to keep track of households receiving donations they are able to fill donation bags with lots of good stuff like pastries, milk, canned meat, tuna, powdered mashed potatoes and even frozen blueberries.

"We haven't been out yet," Horsham said.

"God has been good to us," added Sam Collins, an assistant volunteer at the church.

Highlands Today reporter Aiyana Baida can be reached at 863-386- 5855 or nbaida@highlandstoday.com

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