More and more people in our country are going hungry because they have lost their jobs, their benefits have ended, they can’t find a job and have no place left to turn but to their local food bank. But the nation’s food banks are stretched to the limit because of the increased number of people needing their services.
You might think that none of your friends are going hungry, but I read a comment on a piece NPR did about a photography exhibit about hunger in America, and think it could apply to any one of us:
…a dear friend and community member crossed over.
At his one year crossing remembrance, stories began to come out and I realized with great sorrow, our friend went hungry. I feel sad when I think of it, that our dear friend who gave so much and was so generous in spirit and friendship was hungry and we never knew that. How did we not make it our business to know how it was with him we loved so?
Please make a donation today to Feeding America, or your local food bank, and count yourself as one of the lucky ones if you’re not going to bed hungry every night.
“Meg Fairfax Fielding”
Here are some important facts about April Food Day and Feeding America:
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Feeding America is annually providing food to 37 million Americans, including 14 million children. This is an increase of 46 percent over 2006, when we were feeding 25 million Americans, including 9 million children, each year.
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That means one in eight Americans now rely on Feeding America for food and groceries.
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Feeding America's nationwide network of food banks is feeding 1 million more Americans each week than we did in 2006.
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Thirty-six percent of the households served have at least one person working.
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More than one-third of client households report having to choose between food and other basic necessities, such as rent, utilities and medical care.
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The number of children the Feeding America network serves has increased by 50 percent since 2006.
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Feeding America food banks provide food and groceries to 33,500 food pantries, 4,500 soup kitchens and 3,600 emergency shelters.
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68 percent of pantries, 42 percent of soup kitchens, and 15 percent of emergency shelters rely solely on volunteers and have no paid staff.
Please take the time to make a donation today ~ just click HERE to donate.
3 comments:
I haven't heard of this, but what a wonderful concept. It does make you stop and think about who might be hungry.
Great post Tammy. I have been hearing more and more of this, and when I stare at the soup cans in my pantry and blurt out, THERES NOTHING TO EAT, IM STARVING, it really is inappropriate when so many would be truly thankful for that soup!! Maybe we could start a national soup drive! I could encourage people to drop soups off at my office and then take them to the food bank. Im sure there are numerous other people that would be willing to help!
Tammy thanks for posting this--we all need to keep our ears and eyes open and pick up on those small little ques. Most people wouldn't go to someone and say I need help--we need to step in and deliver groceries if we think there is a need. WE have done it before and people are so grateful that they won't have to worry about feeding their kids.
Cheri
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