Ok, I’ll say it…it is that time of year when every agency and charity is asking for money. People are in need. It is more true this year, than any other time in recent memory. I wonder if you know how bad it really is in some areas of our country? Feeding America, formerly known as Second Harvest, is a great organization that helps to organize and feed people in need. This last year has seen financial devastation that has affected people of all economic levels. Poverty is not just affecting the so called “poor” folks that people tend to stereotype in their minds; you know, people who are poor are often thought of as people who don’t want to work, by some folks.
For those who are in real need of a place to live (homelessness), food to eat (hungry), or basic necessities of life…help; real help is the difference between life and death.
Feeding America is trying to make a difference. The non-profit organization was created in the 1960′s by John van Hengel. You see he was a retired businessman who volunteered his time at a food kitchen in Arizona. He actively sought out donations from area businesses and got more food than that soup kitchen could use. In talking with some of their clients he found that some of them were gathering food for their families from the garbage bins from local grocery stores. This sowed the seeds for what is now known as Feeding America.
Many of us hear the refrain from our children nightly; Mom, I’m Hungry, what’s for dinner? For those of us who are blessed enough to have food to put on the table that is filling and nutritious it is a mere question that will be answered in time with a meal on the table. For other families, that is not the case. In 2008, there were 49.1 million Americans who live in homes with unstable food resources. Seriously, that is ridiculous! On the news today I heard that in America, people waste or throw away 40% of their food. Why?
No one wants to hear that question from their children, “What’s for dinner Mom, I’m hungry?”; and not have something healthy and nutritious to feed their families. What can you do to help?
If you have money to give…please give it . For every $1 that is given, seven meals are provided to men, women and children. You can give directly to them here: http://bit.ly/7yfZQJ If you don’t have money how about volunteering? Or maybe become an advocate for them by blogging or writing articles telling of the good that they are doing? Maybe start a food drive in your local area. If you don’t wish to do any of those things…maybe you would be willing to click here and support some of Feeding America’s partners: www.welchs.com/harvest each time you click there you will be helping to donate 8 glasses of welch’s juice for free…just by clicking! Amazing isn’t it? If you go here http://feedingamerica.org/ : you can see in the bottom right hand side some of their partners who help Feeding America/Second Harvest do what they do so well. Please support them and let them know how much you appreciate their generosity!
Another great interesting fact I found out is about an executive director of Feeding America right here in Michigan who was instrumental in helping to restructure over 100 food banks in the United States with just one idea…a mobile food truck. You see, it used to be that some perishable food items would get donated that had to be used within a short period of time to avoid it becoming un-usuable. John Arnold, of Feeding America of West Michigan, of had a great idea to use refrigerated beverage trucks ( beer, soda, water) to take those perishable food items to the people in rural areas before those food items spoiled and became unusable. What a blessing he has been to people in need! Thank you John Arnold on behalf of families around the United States.
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It is so wonderful that you have addressed this need, Rainy, and I thank you for your spotlight once again!
Your readers might also like to know that people may create a few spare dollars for Feeding America by saving money on food when they participate in the program offered by Angel Food Ministries. It can decrease a family’s cost for food significantly, leaving some cash to help people who are desperately in need of basics.
Angel Food Ministries can be found on the web: http://www.angelfoodministries.com and there is ample information there to understand their program and place orders.
It is unconscionable to me that there is such egregious waste in America, yet such terrible need. Think of the children and how that affects their ability to make their way in the world!
If everyone would do a little something, the vast resources we have at our disposal would be more evenly distributed. You have certainly done your part, Rainy, by underscoring the need and shedding light on it. Thank you so much.
Warmly,
Mother Connie