Needed: food
Today's NYT reports that food banks are low on food: Food banks around the country are reporting critical shortages that have forced them to ration supplies, distribute staples usually reserved for disaster relief and in some instances close. “It’s one...
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Thank you for letting us know about this. I had no idea.
My grocery offers an extra sack to ut in your cart and fill as you go through the store. After you pay for the groceries in that sack you are given a discount and the grocery store collects them and delivers them to food banks. It usually amounts to about 10-15 dollars. I try to include a sack of apples or other fresh food since most food pantries do not offer fresh fruit and vegetables. I can't afford it every week, but do it when I can. Last year after going through the store and picking up all those little extra nice things for Christmas, I stopped, added it up and those bits would have cost over 60 dollars. Put them back and just asked for a couple of pantry sacks. I was actually a bit ashamed of myself.
Check this video out that deals with England and America's food waste, so much food is tossed out that could be used in these instances. Some people have gone "freegan," attempting to live off the excess food thrown out. There is even an organization in England that collects good food that would otherwise be thrown out and gives it to those in need.
Here is the video link: http://cdn.libsyn.com/directorsnotes/DN064_-_What_a_Freegan_Waste_-_Craig_Rook.mov
The store where I am working this year for extra money is down so far from last year's holiday receipts. I think economic tough times are definitely hitting with $100-a-barrel oil and the subprime loan crisis.
Also, remember that there may be other food banks in your community as well. Many churches support a local food back - as ours does. We are a small church (about 120 in Sunday service) but I'm proud to say that we feed 66 people per month. And unlike the rules at the city food bank, we let people come more than once a month.
And based on the increase in requests we're getting, Larry is definately right, for the working people, times are getting real tough.
I've watched my grocery store prices go through the roof with inflation these past three years. Fortunately, everytime they report the inflation numbers they subtract energy from the equation and report that less than 3% increases. Tell that to the gas station or the supermarket and see if they will subtract energy from your bill...LOL. Times are getting alot tougher. Soon it might take a bag of money to buy a loaf of bread.
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