Real LI

The use of food pantries by the working middle class, reported in today’s Newsday, is expected to grow with the mortgage crisis, nonprofit officials predict.

The Rev. Thomas Goodhue, executive director of the Long Island Council of Churches, which operates three food pantries, said he saw the crisis and demand on food pantries looming about six years ago.

“We could see people who were already struggling to figure out how to pay the rent and put food on the table were going for mortgages in a kind of a desperation, that made them victims or sometimes willing victims of whatever bill of goods they can be sold by some mortgage broker,” Goodhue said.

He said he's seeing homeowners coming in even before their rates have reset, an indication that they probably couldn't afford their loans in the first place.

Years ago, one didn’t have to call the food pantry to see if there’s food. Now that may be wise. In January, the council took the rare step of closing the pantry for a day because there was no food at all. One of the few times the the pantry closed was after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorism attack, when volunteers focused on giving food to the families of victims and rescuers.

For Long Islanders feeling the financial times, the Suffolk County Department of Social Services and Middle Country Public Library will host a free workshop from 4 to 7 p.m. April 24 with one-on-one specialists about food programs, tax credits, employment and training, support groups, health care and other information. The library is at 575 Middle Country Rd. in Selden; call 631-854-9748 or 631-585-9393 ext. 106 for details.