Donate Food to Help the Needy

Posted by Cyndi Allison Apr 22, 2008

CNN reports today that food supplies are low at pantries set up to help families in need. Noted specifically is that one shelter had a 35% decrease in the donation of canned goods. That's clearly a problem with more families struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table.

The government Farm Bill has been delayed yet again. There are issues with subsidies being doled out to wealthy corporate farmers and to those who do not and have never farmed, but the bill also includes food assistance for low income families.

Food stamps are designed to cover the bare minimum, and price increases mean that families who qualify for assistance. are unable to make it from the beginning to the end of the month. Food prices have risen at the fastest rate in 17 years in 2008.

It's not just families on assistance who are having trouble feeding families. Those who make low wages and are feeling the crunch of high gas prices and/or rocketing mortgage payments are ending up with no money left over to buy the basics like food.

I'd challenge all readers who have anything to spare to step up. Take some food to your local shelter, pantry or church. Or, donate money so that those helping out can purchase items needed in bulk and make every cent count.