One in eight Americans — 42 million people — still struggles to get enough to eat. And while that number has been going down recently, hunger appears to be getting worse in some economically distressed areas, especially in rural communities.
Food banks that serve these areas are also feeling the squeeze, as surplus food supplies dwindle but the lines of people seeking help remain long.
As a result, food banks such as Feeding America Southwest Virginia are trying to shorten those lines by doing more to address the root causes of hunger, such as poverty, unemployment and bad health.
"Why? Because we can't afford to continue to feed individuals on this ongoing basis, the resources that it takes to do that. We'd much rather have less individuals come into our programs," says Pamela Irvine, the food bank's president and CEO.
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14 comments:
We don't want the food out of food banks; we want jobs so we can buy what we want out of the grocery stores!
Is that too hard to understand?
I don't mind helping someone truly in need but I'm not going to help someone who is too lazy to get off their butt and try to help themselves. I know someone that helps out at a church food bank and she says a lot of the people that come there are just free loaders.
Joe, I'm not sure about others, but this last election, and the correlative treatment of conservatives from the likes of Hillary, et. al., left me jaded.
Prior to last year, I was the most generous person around, as are many conservatives. But after last year, I felt like I could not 'reward ' the people who are Hellbent in changing my values and way of life. It hurts me to feel this way because that's not the way I was raised. But I do.
It obviously is having a negative impact on those who are fighting our forward progress to make America great again.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you!
I must be dense. I do not understand why this group or any group of people have to go to food banks. I assumed they could get wic or snap cards like they do in this area. If they are not, why is the government taking taxes out of the working people for these programs?
7:11, It is very important to "Pay It Forward" in life. It doesn't have to be much. Two days ago an old elementary, middle and high school friend called me and said, "I never knew you were poor", after speaking with another old friend. He went on to say we hid it pretty well. Heck, I thought everyone knew but that was the great part about living in Bowie. There were only about five different style homes, so everyone was pretty much equal. Anyhow, we had Family helping us out when times were really tough but it taught each and every one of us to get out and work. Mom always taught us to give back and we have all done just that.
As I've grown much older I too sometimes find it very difficult to find those who need a HAND UP instead of a HAND OUT. This is why we chose to give to the school lunch program this past year. When we gave out complete Christmas Dinners there were people coming back in line up to three times. When we told them we had already served them they replied, you're racist.
Find ways to be creative with your giving. It truly pays off in the end.
I grew up poor. I know if we wanted to eat, we had to work. Whatever money we made as kids was not ours. It went into the "family" bank. We had a garden and learned the art of canning. Funny thing is I never felt poor. We always helped others in their struggles.
7:08 I was someone who volunteered at a food pantry at a church in the Curtis Bay section of Baltimore city. What we experienced (and this was back in the late 90's) was the recipients were going around and getting the bags of food and taking them and selling them for whatever they could get so they could buy cigarettes, alcohol and even drugs. There is an underground of people with money will they would take the bags to. They would also would sell the food and other things at flea markets. We finally got together with some of the other food pantries and would only allow someone to get 1 bag a week from 1 pantry.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2 Thessalonians 3:10
If one is a true Christian they have to be very careful. Many of those who use these free food services are living in sin. By giving them free things you are only enabling them to continue to live in sin and that is a greater sin. Remember Jesus' words-Go and sin no more.
The food bank is just a clique of fake religious people that give the food they get to their friends and relatives.
9:37 is right but you have to really read it. It says WOULD not work, not, could not work. So many bleeding heart liberals seem to miss that.
They are seeing what others have said for decades.
GENERATIONS of families live their whole lives on welfare. Their grandmother was on welfare. Their mother was on welfare. Now the daughter, who just had her 3rd child (at 20 years old) and, surprise, she's on welfare, too.
Something has to change.
We are running out of people to take money from and 20 TRILLION in debt.
Do the math.
We need infrastructure repair. Roads, bridges, electric lines, etc.
If we must give someone a check, make it a PAYCHECK and fix the roads.
Do SOMETHING.
Other than cheerleading, I mean.
Yet, everyday I see ads on TV wanting money for food and medicine for Africans!
America, and Americans First!
No aid to any country till all of America is taken care of! No US soldiers to ever be used by the UN! America First!
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