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juliaoceania -> Hunger in America (10/30/2006 7:06:45 PM)

This discussion started on a thread and I thought it deserved its own home so to speak.

I just wanted to remind people that this happens in their community and maybe we could all do more about it (I definitely am going to look into what I can do in my community)

Hunger In America Rises By 43 Percent Over Last Five Years
Hunger in American households has risen by 43 percent over the last five years, according to an analysis of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data released today. The analysis, completed by the Center on Hunger and Poverty at Brandeis University, shows that more than 7 million people have joined the ranks of the hungry since 1999.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051029093925.htm
 

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Despite a booming economy, a stock market that reached historic heights in the last decade and reports of welfare reform success, wages for many Americans have simply  not risen fast enough to cover the increased cost of living. To these Americans, food has become an unaffordable luxury. In the past year, of those people seeking emergency food relief, 35% - that's more than 1 in 3 - had to choose between paying their rent and buying food. 
http://www.fhfh.org/hunger.html
 

Child Hunger Facts
The problem of childhood hunger is not simply a moral issue.  Scientific evidence suggests that hungry children are less likely to become productive citizens. 

A child who is unequipped to learn because of hunger and poverty is more likely to be poor as an adult.  As such, the existence of childhood hunger in the United States threatens future American prosperity.  

http://www.secondharvest.org/learn_about_hunger/child_hunger_facts.html





Level -> RE: Hunger in America (10/30/2006 7:15:13 PM)

Hunger around the world:

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'Virtually no progress' in alleviating world hunger: FAO

by Andrea BambinoMon Oct 30, 9:50 AM ET

The world has made "virtually no progress" in eradicating hunger over the past decade despite greater wealth, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The latest figures, from 2001-03, show that 854 million people were undernourished. Most, some 820 million, were in developing countries.

The World Food Summit, held in Rome in 1996, set the ambitious target of halving world hunger by 2015 relative to 1990-92.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061030/hl_afp/faofoodagriculture_061030145059



MsSonnetMarwood -> RE: Hunger in America (10/30/2006 7:19:30 PM)

For those of you thinking about donating to food drives this holiday season:

Most food banks can turn a $25 donation into closer to $500 worth of food, by buying bulk, wholesale, etc. 

So instead of going to the grocery store to buy food to donate, write a check.   They can do more with that.



Level -> RE: Hunger in America (10/30/2006 7:23:14 PM)

Excellent advice, Ms.



nefertari -> RE: Hunger in America (10/30/2006 7:23:34 PM)

We have a local group I donate to called People in Need (PIN) that serves as a food pantry.  The schools also encourage kids to bring in loose change and have donation cannisters set up to donate to PIN.  Unfortunately, people can only receive emergency food twice a year from them and a family of three receives, I think, 2 or 3 grocery bags worth of food.  There are local churches that offer emergency food supplies, but I do not know how they operate.

I also donate to Feed the Children which provides food to the working poor on a national level.  Some of those children we talked about in that other thread.

Every building in our school district now offers breakfast as well as lunch (whereas last year only one or two out of eight buildings offered breakfast) and those that qualify can receive these meals for free or at a reduced rate.

We often gather non-perishables and other items around the holidays to donate to groups who provide food to the needy.  It wouldn't be difficult, or expensive, to just pick something up everytime you go to the grocery store to donate.  Have a coupon for something you know your family won't eat?  Pick it up and donate it.  (Especially because a lot of times those same items you have coupons for are on sale.)  Store name brand canned vegetables are very inexpensive.  Krogers has their brand peanut butter on sale 10 for $10 a lot.  If everyone just picked up one or two items everytime they did grocery shopping,  it would make a world of a difference.  Find out the days the food banks distribute foods and donate fresh fruits and vegetables on those days.

Just some thoughts....



juliaoceania -> RE: Hunger in America (10/30/2006 7:29:09 PM)

We have the marjory mason house here that also helps abused women.



popeye1250 -> RE: Hunger in America (10/30/2006 8:11:53 PM)

Julia, funny that you should start this thread today.
I was paying the bills today and cut two checks to homeless shelters, one here in Myrtle Beach, Coastal Rescue Mission and one in Boston, Mass that I've been donating to now for about 20 years, the Boston Rescue Mission.
I don't give just around the Holidays but in the summer too because they said that is a crucial time of year for them and all shelters too because giving drops off during that time of the year as people are on vacations etc.
I get a newsletter from the Boston Rescue Mission every few months and they have interviews with former clients of theirs who have really turned their lives around and are living happy and productive lives!
That Shelter treats their clients very comprehensively with drug alchohol treatment if neccessary, job training and apprenticeships locally, room and board, even got one lady into Nursing school and now she's a Nurse at a large Boston Hospital and probably making big bucks.
It is one of those shelters that pushes the religion on people and everytime I send them a check they tell me that they're praying for me but I don't think it's working. I'm still a prick.
I also belong to the Ancient Order of Hibernians (Like the Masons only "Irish.") and we raise millions of dollars for hunger related charities which of course people of Irish heritage are very aware of due to "An Gorta Mor" -The Great Hunger- the Irish Famine.
If you ever fly to Ireland on Aer Lingus the national Irish airline, they always take up a collection "for the world's hungry" before landing in Dublin or Shannon.
I just don't think that anyone should go hungry in this country!
Now if the govt. got involved in this they'd end up screwing everything up.
There'd be layers of buearacracy, all kinds of rules, paperwork, red tape and nothing would get done!
I actually enjoy doing this kind of charity work and the AOH is always involved in serving and cooking in local shelters too.



Owned1 -> RE: Hunger in America (10/31/2006 9:36:14 PM)

If each one of us gave some assistance when we are in a fortunate situation then there would be no one hungry anywhere in the world.

But for a mistake of birth anyone of us could have been born in an impovrished third world country or live in our car in North America.

We do not need to make great overt efforts, we simply need to do as others have stated here offer help when we are able.  It does not even need to be cash, it can be time, it can be gently used clothes to the local shelter, there is a way for each one of us to help one who is less fortunate at this moment in time than we are.

Owned



Aileen68 -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 3:44:31 AM)

Our local food banks participate in a program called Hunters for the Hungry.  They accept donations of venison from approved butchers in the area.  The hunter shoots the deer, brings it to the butcher and pays for the butchering.  That venison is then packaged and sent to the food banks.  One regular Jersey size doe will provide, on average, 70-100 lbs of steaks, chops, chopmeat, etc.



FangsNfeet -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 4:58:02 AM)

Here in the US, I've yet to come accross a homeless guy that's all skin and bones.

They all have been either normal or over weight having shoes, pants, a shirt, cap, and jacket to stay warm. They find that free food at the homeless shelter and working 10 hours a day sticking out there hand or holding a sign gives them a life that they are satisified with.




meatcleaver -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 5:27:49 AM)

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.



juliaoceania -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 8:03:29 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

Here in the US, I've yet to come accross a homeless guy that's all skin and bones.

They all have been either normal or over weight having shoes, pants, a shirt, cap, and jacket to stay warm. They find that free food at the homeless shelter and working 10 hours a day sticking out there hand or holding a sign gives them a life that they are satisified with.




One day I was drving in a parking lot by a McDonalds and I saw this guy who looked like a concentration camp victim picking through the trash... I went inside and bought him a burger. The ones starving are usually the mentally ill who do not panhandle, but instead wander around in their own private pain. I have a brother that was in this situation, and it is criminal that we could do nothing to help him because of legislation that Raygun signed to keep the state from having to pay for people like him to receive care. Today my brother is much better, married, and working a job.

The thing is fangsfeet, you obviously did not read this thread before voicing your opinion, because if you had you would have seen it is the working poor that are hungry in this country, not panhandlers.



JerseyKrissi72 -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 8:03:35 AM)

I volunteer my time during the holiday season to the Salvation Army because I can remember when I was first starting out, they provided me and my family with food, gifts and clothes during the holiday season...All year long at the cash registers in the store they have $1, $5 or $10 donation slips you can add to your bill to the food bank...I do what I can...NOONE IN THIS COUNTRY SHOULD GO HUNGRY...There is so much waste of food though it's rediculous!  I don't forget where I come from and those who helped me when I was down..food stamps, WIC...and local churches who do what they can to help you...God bless them all.



kisshou -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 8:12:33 AM)

You think it could never happen to you? It so easily could with unforseen circumstances a death in the family, a critical long term illness can run you through your savings quite quickly, not everyone is blessed with family to help them out.

I personally know a family who lost their house in a huricane then had the majority breadwinner become terminally ill. The person was too sick to work and the disability benefits ran out added to the fact that they had small children including a newborn baby.

All sorts of people are out there needing help and you can not say someone is satisfied with their life unless you have walked a mile in their shoes.

It is easy to be smug when you have not experienced it firsthand.



mam -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 8:30:43 AM)

"those that qualify"
Yes, they have to fill out the forms properly! And get treated badly in the process.
I've been there, I know. If you really want to help the poor, give directly to those in need.
And vote for someone who will raise minimum wage.
(My 2 cents.)



KenDckey -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 9:27:10 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

One day I was drving in a parking lot by a McDonalds and I saw this guy who looked like a concentration camp victim picking through the trash... I went inside and bought him a burger. The ones starving are usually the mentally ill who do not panhandle, but instead wander around in their own private pain. I have a brother that was in this situation, and it is criminal that we could do nothing to help him because of legislation that Raygun signed to keep the state from having to pay for people like him to receive care. Today my brother is much better, married, and working a job.

The thing is fangsfeet, you obviously did not read this thread before voicing your opinion, because if you had you would have seen it is the working poor that are hungry in this country, not panhandlers.



I donate to, amongst others, Footprinters International.  http://www.thomsonwebdesign.com/footprinterorg/  Chapter 11, in Fresno, CA.  They do a lot of work with the ARC in Fresno and have helped develop training programs to aide those at need.

I also donate to E Clampus Vidus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_Clampus_Vitus to help out the widders and orphans of the west.



popeye1250 -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 10:44:57 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.


And this is due in large part to this "Global Economy" and these "free-trade" deals like Nafta, Cafta and Gatt.



juliaoceania -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 12:22:15 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: popeye1250

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.


And this is due in large part to this "Global Economy" and these "free-trade" deals like Nafta, Cafta and Gatt.


No, we had hunger in this country before NAFTA



NorthernGent -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 12:34:16 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.


Well, you have to hand it to this post. It's bang on.

I understand people want to help others out where they can.

However, handouts are to the homeless what a bowl of rice is to the starving in Africa. Both groups need incentive and opportunity which in turn needs public and political will to redress the balance in society. If you want a fair society then elect the politicians who can deliver. Otherwise, forget it as you'll always be fighting the inevitable.

As said, I understand that a meal and clothing is far better than nothing and in many ways people are caught between a rock and a hard place. However, I feel this is one area where it is cruel to be kind and what we need is serious pressure on our Governments (and our wider society) to get a grip on the state of homelessness in both of our countries.



nefertari -> RE: Hunger in America (11/1/2006 1:30:34 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NorthernGent

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When there hunger and homelessness occurs in rich countries it exposes socio-economic structural problems that really should be dealt with at a political level. Charity will only alleviate the symptoms and won't stop more people falling into the poverty trap because the structural reasons for poverty is still there. Sadly people in poverty don't have the political clout to catch the attention of politicians who are only interested in power so it is up to all of us to put pressure on politicians to find a permanent solution.


Well, you have to hand it to this post. It's bang on.

I understand people want to help others out where they can.

However, handouts are to the homeless what a bowl of rice is to the starving in Africa. Both groups need incentive and opportunity which in turn needs public and political will to redress the balance in society. If you want a fair society then elect the politicians who can deliver. Otherwise, forget it as you'll always be fighting the inevitable.

As said, I understand that a meal and clothing is far better than nothing and in many ways people are caught between a rock and a hard place. However, I feel this is one area where it is cruel to be kind and what we need is serious pressure on our Governments (and our wider society) to get a grip on the state of homelessness in both of our countries.



I think we all agree that charity is only a bandaid to the problem.  And you're right in that it is a political issue.  However, I am only one person. While I vote for the politicians I feel will bring about change, everyone has different priorities and there are others in this country (as evidenced by another post on this thread) that deny the problem truly exists.  Until the majority elect those politicians and pressure the government to address these issues, it is only human to help those on the losing end of the stick.  The poor in this country don't have a voice.

The homeless in this country, from what I've personally seen, get a lot more help and attention than the working poor.  The homeless are much more visibile than the working poor.  That isn't to say the homeless are living well, cause that would just be silly to even suggest.  But, this thread is more aimed at the working poor - a group often forgotten.



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