Record Numbers of People Are Looking For Food

[marmar]

via CommonDreams:



Published on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 by The Wichita Eagle (Kansas)
Record Numbers of People Are Looking For Food
by Roy Wenzl


Wichita, Kansas - For weeks now, while the national news reported fear and worry among Wall Street financial titans, a working mother of four named Darcy Fox was trying to stretch out her family's Ramen noodles and canned goods until her next trip to a charity food pantry.
"Thank God for food pantries," she said on Monday, holding her infant son.

But all over Wichita, while recent news has been dominated by worries from Wall Street, the leaders of Wichita's food charities have watched with growing fear as the number of people showing up for meals and food has set records.

"We're scared, to be quite honest with you," said Brian Walker, the director of the Kansas Food Bank. "We've never encountered numbers like what we are seeing, and we're having trouble sometimes putting together enough in the boxes to make full meals."

Months of high gasoline and food prices have driven many marginally surviving families to the soup kitchens, charities say. The full effect of the financial crises, as it plays out, might make this worse, they say.

The Food Bank, which serves as a bulk supplier to pantries in 85 Kansas counties, including Sedgwick, handed out a million pounds more food to its pantries from January to September than it did in the same period last year. And last year was a record year until now.

The Lord's Diner, which feeds dinners seven days a week to hundreds of poor, set a record for meals served in one month last year when it handed out an average of 438 meals a night in September 2007.

But in June, July, August and September this year, the Diner's average nightly meal numbers were 436, 419, 451 and 449.

"I'm very nervous," said Wendy Glick, the director. "We are now serving as many as 500 meals a night on many nights now." .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/10/14-4

[bdamomma]

1. it's going to be a lean holiday season for many.

if those can afford to give anything be it can goods or donation to a food bank we must try to help.

[Ilsa]

2. I'm scared to think of how many people don't know about

places like The Lord's Diner or can't get there for lack of transportation.

[seemslikeadream]

3. gloomy gus

;)


Grap you coat and get your hat, leave your worries on the door step

[Uben]

4. What can I do?

I'll tell ya! Make an effort!

Make an effort to find out the organizations in your area collecting food for the needy, and take them some food. Clean out your closets and take those clothes and coats to a shelter. Winter is almost here and it's only gonna get worse. It's not gonna happen without you. Just do it!

I was amazed that I had over 200 lbs of clothing and bedding in my closets that I was never going to wear or use. We have a program at our local school where those in need can go and get clothes and food for their family. They are allowed to come after school hours if they are embarrassed by their need. It's all free for the taking. I live in an affluent community in a county where there is great need. We have 36,000 people in our county and 26,000 qualify for special needs! Those who have, need to give. It's the American way. It's up to us to keep this country great. People do not flock to this nation for no reason. It is the greatest nation on earth, with the greatest people on earth.

Can't find an organization? Start one. The rewards are unlimited!

[PJPhreak]

5. I Live In Wichita....

And it is much worse here than this article states,Wichita is one of the few places that missed out on the boom economy of the '90's and the early 2000's. While the Coasts flourished,our manufacturing jobs were/are being sent overseas,Kansas's "Right To Work"status keeps our wages well below the national average...as an example I make $9.25 an hour,work 60-65 hours a week and my inlaws (Who work for SRS/HHS) say I'm making "Good" money for the area...Nine Fifty an hour "Good" wages?? more like "highschool" wages!!! Benefits??HaHaHa Not here!!!

[bdamomma]

6. welcome to DU PJPhreak!!

:hi:

[Sal Minella]

7. Are you related to the Fabulous Furry brothers? I hope,

You'll find a lot of low-income people here -- a lot of TOUGH low-income people! If you want to get a thread with a lot of responses really fast, just start something about the best way to cook beans.....

[livetohike]

8. Welcome to DU!

:hi: