Aug 21 2008
Food Banks in Trouble
Food Banks all across the nation are in dire need of help.
The reasons are pretty self-evident. Food cost inflation is putting a lot of folks at risk, and a lot of those folks at risk are senior citizens. The numbers of people applying to Food Banks for assistance is higher than ever, especially for this time of year, and a goodly number of those folks who need help are senior citizens.
Living on a fixed income is no joy. Living on Social Security is no joke. I don’t know how some folks make it from month to month. My spouse recalls one event that just wrenched her heart out: She and her elderly mother went grocery shopping and my spouse discovered that her mother had just $2.00 to spend! Imagine going through the aisles trying to decide what to spend your $2.00 on!
Social classes do owe something to each other. If we have plenty enough, we should share. No one should go hungry. Can you think of a more basic human need to be fulfilled than a meal? I know that Food Banks need contributions right now, and we can all help. One idea I saw today was to take advantage of the “10 for $10″ special at your grocery store and buy a few extra for the Food Bank.
Food Banks also need volunteers. If you can handle it, I recommend you investigate. Some volunteers can’t take it very long. They feel so guilty. We who are fortunate enough to have what we need can share without trying to solve ALL the country’s poverty problems. We each do our little part and we can pull together. I think the Social Services system for the aged is a broken system right now, and I fear that it is beyond the ability of local organizations to repair it. A national commitment to ensure our citizens a decent life in their later years is required.
Tomorrow: Divided We Fail.org An effort to force Congress to provide health insurance and financial security to our citizens, one and all.
