BY J.D. CHARLES

LOVELY — Traffic was backed up to Maple Drive in Lovely as the Facing Hunger Foodbank of Huntington returned Thursday to Martin County.

Distribution was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., but the traffic was backed up almost to the Lovely Post Office by 10 a.m.

Concerns about astronomical gas prices driving up inflation and over a dozen food processing plants nationwide struck by a series of fires, explosions, and not one, but two airplane crashes, had many concerned about facing drastic food shortages in the very near future.

“I think we are already in a recession,” one older woman told another person waiting patiently in line.

Others agreed, getting out of their vehicles and stretching their legs after the long wait in the hot summer sun.

“We are going to be in a Depression like in our parents’ and grandparents’ days,” the woman said.

Despite the heat and intense humidity and concerns about current events and economic woes, many were upbeat thanks to the cheerful nature of the volunteers at the event.

“I ate up the last of my stuff I got the last time about two, three weeks ago,” one man quipped. “Boy, they timed their return just right.”

One elderly gentleman said he was grateful to God for the food bank as it helped him get by.

“I don’t draw much Social Security,” he said. “Every little bit helps, and I’ve gotten an awful lot of help from the people who make this thing possible. I wish there was some way to let them know how much that means to me and others living on fixed incomes here. It’s most gratefully appreciated.”