Hungry for Change
This time of year is about three things: family, friends, and FOOD. It seems like around holiday time, family traditions, meeting up with friends, and other festivities always revolve around food. It is something we often take for granted.
This holiday season close to 40 million Americans are considered "food insecure" meaning they struggle to keep food on the table. At the same time, local food pantries are in a state of emergency, unable to meet the growing needs of the hungry population. Hunger affects Americans in rural, suburban, and urban areas, primarily the working poor, and approximately 17% of all US children.
So, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that the US Senate passed the 2007 Farm Bill on Friday, which provides some support for food pantries; the House passed a separate version of the bill in July. The bad news is that until the two chambers can come to an agreement on the bill, the pantries will remain poorly stocked and understaffed. Senator Sherrod Brown has urged Congress to pass a $40 million emergency measure that will help keep the charitable organizations in business in the meantime.
I can't even pretend to know what it feels like to go hungry. Like many other suburban princesses, I complain when there is "nothing to eat" in an overflowing refrigerator. Friends and I will bemoan Panera over Chipotle over Olive Garden on a weekly basis.
It is easy to get wrapped up in our hectic holiday schedules, even with good intentions to volunteer for pet causes or give to the needy. My guess is that you all will be stopping by the grocery story or a mega-mart of some kind before Christmas. Please take the time to throw a few extra canned goods into your cart and drop them off at one of the locations below or another charitable spot; of course, $ contributions are always welcome, too. Your donation just might make someone's holiday season a little fuller.
Akron Canton Regional Foodbank
350 Opportunity Parkway
Akron OH 44307
330-535-6900
Cleveland Foodbank, Inc.
15500 South Waterloo Road
Cleveland, OH 44110
216-738-2265
Good Neighbors, Inc.
Click on the above link to find multiple locations in Summit County
330-733-1453
Summit County Veterans Service Commission
148 Park Street Akron, OH 44308
330-643-2830
By Annie - 12/19/2007
23 Comments:
Here is a short list of most needed items:
Canned Vegetables
beans
green beans
carrots
potatoes
tomatoes
tomato products
Canned Meats
tuna
salmon
spam
ham
chicken
Canned Meals
stew
chili
Condiments and Dressings
Baking Supplies
flour
sugar
baking soda / powder
spices / herbs Canned Fruit
applesauce
peaches
pears
pineapple
Dried Pasta, Rice and Beans
Canned Soups
Cleaning Supplies
laundry supplies
household cleaners
Paper Products
paper towels
facial tissue
bathroom tissue
Personal Care Items
deodorant
shampoo
bath soap
toothpaste
toothbrushes
hair care products
Are there hungry people in this country and is it something that should be allowed? No. Is the number 40 million people? No. By the USDA's own studies they reported that during the year at least one family member in 3.5% of US households at some point in the year could not afford enough food.
I heard a personal story yesterday about a woman who has been evicted from her apartment and is now at the Haven of Rest. For those who aren't familiar, that facility is over on Market Street near the Akron Museum of Art. Apparently the way it works is they give people a place to stay for 30 days. You have to be sober, off drugs, and show up by the 5:00 p.m. curfew. If you don't do those things, they don't give you a place to stay. From what I hear, it is a big co-ed room with some dividers. Many nights, all the cots are full and people are given mats to sleep on so at least they don't have to be out in the cold. I guess I share this story because I drive by that place all the time, but never really think about it.
We can spend the rest of the year having the public policy debate about why those people are there. I guess I'm just thankful that I'm not. Annie, thanks for doing this post. Too often I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and forget the importance of the humble act of giving to those less fortunate. Thanks for the reminder.
Annie,
Don't forget Akron's own Good Samaritan Hunger Center. They do a fantastic job at feeding some of Summit County's neediest families.
Good Samaritan Hunger Center
Phone: 330-864-8520
420 S Hawkins Ave
Akron, OH 44320
-also-
PO Box 5753
Akron, Ohio 44372 goodsamhunger@aol.com.
http://www.goodsamaritanhungercenter.org/
Thanks, Adam-- There are a lot of great organizations out there that do so much with so little.
Annie: your post is a solid - boots on the ground - Can Do
Feed the hungry is the BIG number one on the BIG list from the BIG guy!
Bless you and all yours
The seven practices of charity toward our neighbor, based on Christ’s prophecy of the Last Judgment, that will determine each person’s final destiny:
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit those in prison
7. Bury the dead
Since I am on a roll, have to add these:
The seven practices of Catholic charity toward our neighbor’s soul:
» Convert the sinner
» Instruct the ignorant
» Counsel the doubtful
» Comfort the sorrowful
» Bear wrongs patiently
» Forgive injuries
» Pray for the living and the dead
My agency conducts monthly food distributions and weekly food referrals and as a case manager I am constantly looking for food pantries and soup kitchens to refer my clients too. One of the biggest challenges that all of the food distribution sites face is how to get fresh produce and fresh dairy products to our clients. A box of mac and cheese isn't much without butter and milk.
In addition to donating canned and boxed goods, consider calling one of the shelters (e.g. Haven, Access, Harvest home, Salvation Army) or a food pantry or soup kitchen and ask if you can make a donation of dairy products or fresh produce. Some of the sites who might not be able to incorporate the food into their planned meals may be able to give it to the families to take home and use on their own (i.e. a quart of milk, a bag of salad).
On a slightly related note, a few months ago some jackasses stole the copper pipes to the massive freezers at the foodbank in Indianapolis.
Annie I applaud your sentiment but do you really believe there are 40 million people in this country struggling right now to put food on the table?
Granted I live in an affluent area but 1 in 7 Americans is either going hungry or in danger of being in that situation?
If you truly belive that and can support your statement I will write another check to the Haven of Rest in the exact amount of the one already sent.
If it is a case of the facts are not important but the message is what counts please say that.
38.2 rounds to 40
Fred, send that check - you swell guy
Petey,
\I suggest you read the actual defintion of food insecure. Your article is giving the impression that all of these people suffer from food shortage which is not the case. Also the gov. redifined some of its terms which accounts for the much ofthre in the statistics. I stand by my statement earlier according to the USDA someone at one point or more of 3.5% of all household etc.
Come on Petey you werent born yesterday you arent going to tell me that 40 million Americans are going hungry this Christmas. I hate to go there but are we saying Americans or any and all people in the country.
Petey, A few years ago the USDA reduced the number of yes answers to qualify for being food insecure. The largest group in this category has been determined to have to make choices in the quality or quanity of their food to deal with a limited budget. Using that defintion I spent 15 years(except when I was waiter) in that category. Was I hungry or on the verge of being hungry.? Hell no.
For that matter I quess I still qualify. My wife makes food choices based on quality vs. quantity based on our budget.
You understand bureacracies enough to understand their need to grow in numbers and power(follow the money) and they accomplish that by
creating an ever growing need for their services.
Petey, The USDA changed their scoring system in afw years ago to create more food insecure people. The largest segment of that group is those that have to make choices between quantity and quality due to financial considerations. You call that going hungry. Once again we are watching a bureacracy redefine the situation in order to assist them in needing more money for their work( read: job security and power).
I assume they will eventually get to the point that they will have only one question.
Have you ever missed a meal because you didnt have any money?
Bingo! Every American is now food insecure. (I assume all of us have forgotten our wallet or purse at some point)
Petey I do not intend to make light of those that are hungry but the defintions and measuring devices are bullshit.
Goddam: COMMIES and Pinkos!!!!!
EVERYWHERE
Chomp----Chomp
Petey,
They win again. Rather than engage in an honest discussion about hunger we are condtioned to go on the attack. Rep vs Dem, Lib vs. Con., greedy bastard vs. bleeding heart liberal, ignorant racist bastard vs. politically correct asshole. The end result is we fight and the just keep on doing whatever serves their purpose. "Ladies and gentlemen the show that never ends."
Thats right Fred. If one would consider that the only substantial divisions that we (the general public) have - are those fabricated by politicians
Then
There may just be "PEACE ON EARTH"
Merry Christmas
Han (for Sammee)
Kwan (?)
& wherever you are Mencken, Best of Wishes for the NEW YEAR
Hey Fred:
This is a BIG HOHOHO:
"ignorant racist bastard vs. politically correct asshole"
Thanks , I needed that
Petey,
Look at New Orelans. We have now spent more(in dollars adjusted for inflation) on that fiasco than the entire Marshall plan. Dont you think we need a rational discussion about what we are doing there, how we are doing it and what the actual goal is? We both know that if any politican attempted to speak honestly about the above he would be finished. So instead the politicans will verbalize their empathy and the needed discussions will never happen.
OH YEA Merry Christmas to you Petey and Mr. Scroge aka Mencken
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