1 Out of 6 Families....

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Today's new numbers show that one out of six American families are having a difficult time feeding their families.
Most of these homes have children.
I was not only shocked but sickened that this is climbing at such a rate.

How do you or how do you think you can on a personal difference?

(Please no politic agendas, this is a human problem not a party problem).

 

[glitterkittyy]

Today's new numbers show that one out of six American families are having a difficult time feeding their families.
Most of these homes have children.
I was not only shocked but sickened that this is climbing at such a rate.

How do you or how do you think you can on a personal difference?

(Please no politic agendas, this is a human problem not a party problem).

It's a scary statistic isn't it? All I can think of is to give to the local food banks. We are also adopting some families and preparing food baskets for them along with some small gifts for the children. I'd love to hear other ideas on how we can help.

ETA: The families that we are adopting are through a school program at the middle school. It is a program designed to keep the identify of the kids secret so that they aren't picked on by other kids for needing help.

 

[EthansMom]

We are donating far more to the Food Bank this fall/winter than in year's past. So many people who need help having their NEEDS met this winter.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

We are donating far more to the Food Bank this fall/winter than in year's past. So many people who need help having their NEEDS met this winter.

That's what we have been doing.....I wonder what others are doing on a local level.
Would love to hear some ideas.

 

[minniebeth]

We've had lots and LOTS of food pantry drives: in school, in scouts, in church, at the grocery store, for service projects required. It gets to be crazy because I have always donated bags and bags of food, but as food prices go up, it is getting harder on our budget to do it. The theme this year is a little adds up to be a lot. One box or can of food from everyone in the class, church, etc. adds up to be a lot! It does make a difference.

My Brownie troop is doing a "Baby Shower" this week...we are collecting items such as diapers, wipes, baby cereal, food, and formula since these needs are often overlooked. We will play some baby shower games and have some food and a lot of fun while doing something good for the community for the holidays coming up.

 

[princessbride6205]

I'd like to actually volunteer at a food bank - packing boxes, that kind of thing. I found a place near us but you have to go to an orientation and I've had trouble finding one that fits with my schedule.
In the meantime, we'll be donating to a local food bank this week.

 

[NotUrsula]

Remember that Scouting for Food is this weekend, so pick up some extra canned goods.

If you didn't get a bag, call your local Boy Scout Council, and they will let you know where your donation can be dropped off (they might even be able to find someone to come and get it from you if there is no troop covering your area.)

Remember that in most areas the Boy Scouts want canned goods only; they can't use things like boxed mixes, baked goods, or tuna in a pouch. (We always gather that stuff up afterward and take it to the St. Vincent de Paul Society instead.)

Updated to say that I should have said that SFF is this week in many parts of the country, because there are some areas where councils choose to do it sooner. This is the big week that councils in this part of the midwest tend to choose in order to have the goods at the distribution center for pickup the week of Thankgiving.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Remember that Scouting for Food is this weekend, so pick up some extra canned goods.

If you didn't get a bag, call your local Boy Scout Council, and they will let you know where your donation can be dropped off (they might even be able to find someone to come and get it from you if there is no troop covering your area.)

Remember that in most areas the Boy Scouts want canned goods only; they can't use things like boxed mixes, baked goods, or tuna in a pouch. (We always gather that stuff up afterward and take it to the St. Vincent de Paul Society instead.)

Thank you, I didn't know about that!!!!

Last night on the news I cried when they covered a story of a food bank in NY that was burned down on purpose!!!
The woman who ran it was just sobbing & they estimated $100,000 in food destroyed, most to be give out between Thanksgiving & Christmas....

 

[minniebeth]

Remember that Scouting for Food is this weekend, so pick up some extra canned goods.

If you didn't get a bag, call your local Boy Scout Council, and they will let you know where your donation can be dropped off (they might even be able to find someone to come and get it from you if there is no troop covering your area.)

Remember that in most areas the Boy Scouts want canned goods only; they can't use things like boxed mixes, baked goods, or tuna in a pouch. (We always gather that stuff up afterward and take it to the St. Vincent de Paul Society instead.)

I think the timing of the event is up to each of the local councils...we had ours a few weeks ago.

Thank you, I didn't know about that!!!!

Last night on the news I cried when they covered a story of a food bank in NY that was burned down on purpose!!!
The woman who ran it was just sobbing & they estimated $100,000 in food destroyed, most to be give out between Thanksgiving & Christmas....

Just heartbreaking

 

[charming23]

It makes me so sad to think that some people do not have the proper amount of food to survive.

I am actually starting to put together some bags of pantry items to take up to our church for their drive and am donating a gift card to another charity to one of the groceries so that they can buy fresh foods to give to families.

I hope that I can continue doing this all year long next year as the need is for more than just the holidays.

 

[trip]

Today's new numbers show that one out of six American families are having a difficult time feeding their families.
Most of these homes have children.
I was not only shocked but sickened that this is climbing at such a rate.

How do you or how do you think you can on a personal difference?

(Please no politic agendas, this is a human problem not a party problem).

I know that this economy has been hard on lots of families and our family gives more than we have in the past.

But I always wonder about "statistics". If these numbers are new (the past year or so) I wonder how many families had difficulty before? What are the other numbers that show the climb?

 

[EthansMom]

Thank you, I didn't know about that!!!!

Last night on the news I cried when they covered a story of a food bank in NY that was burned down on purpose!!!
The woman who ran it was just sobbing & they estimated $100,000 in food destroyed, most to be give out between Thanksgiving & Christmas....

At our local foodbank, someone broke in and stole a lot of the the food.

 

[shrubber]

where does those numbers come from?

 

[pls5286]

I know times are really tough. As someone on a fixed income due to disability, bills keep going up, but money coming into the house does not. Many times I have to feed me and my two kids on $50 a week more often less.

 

[rparmfamily]

It is sad. I donate to the Hawaii foodbank as well, luckily I can shop at the commissary (which is at cost) so my money goes further. The kids are doing a food drive this week at school too.

 

[glitterkittyy]

where does those numbers come from?

I read this article about it.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I try to pay attention to sales on canned goods so I can buy extra to donate to the food bank. This week, Target has canned veggies on sale for under 50 cents per can which is a good deal.

 

[Geoff_M]

I think the timing of the event is up to each of the local councils...we had ours a few weeks ago.

That is correct... each Council does it independently. We tend to time our away from Thanksgiving and Christmas when food banks normally get lots of donations and instead try and do it during the "leaner" times for food bank donations.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

We volunteer and give to our local food bank, too. I use many coupons and find great deals on food so a little money can actually buy a lot of items if I'm willing to look for the great deal.

On December 5 our local Wehrenberg theater is collecting canned food. From 10-5p.m. they are giving away one free ticket for every 5 cans of food collected. I am unsure if this is a national event or just from our local theater.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I read this article about it.

Here is another one that I read after the news report this morning.

http://business.theatlantic.com/2009/11/146_of_americans_experienced_food_shortage_in_2008.php

http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/04/editorials/hungry_us_children.htm

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010284970_hunger17.html