Reading this article from the Boston Globe, "Squeezed by Prices, Pantries Ask for Help," should have felt like more of a shock. But really, it just made grim sense.
Of course food pantries and homeless shelters, dependent on donations of food and money, would be hard hit by the rising food costs we've all been anxiously discussing.
But it's more complicated than you might expect.
Boston-area shelters are facing a double-whammy when it comes to dealing with these high food costs.
First, and most obviously, is that the food itself simply costs more. The article mentions that the price of spaghetti, meat, and (a bit surprisingly) canned goods have increased dramatically. Additionally, the fuel required to distribute food to individual locations is taking up a larger chunk of agencies' overall budgets.
Secondly and perhaps not so obviously, is the fact that more people are coming to food banks for help than ever before--almost twice the numbers from last year. Many people who have been getting by on tight budgets and food stamps are seeking assistance for the first time.
On top of this, there has been a drop in donations as individuals struggle with their own budget dilemmas.
We assume that the situation is much the same across the country. What have your local papers been saying?
Related: Hungry Planet: What the World Eats
(Photo Credit: Boston Food Bank, by MonkeyatLarge via Flickr Creative Commons)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Phoenix food banks are putting less in boxes and soup kitchens are serving smaller portions to try to ensure that everyone who needs help gets something, and organizations who pick up or drop off donated food are struggling with rising fuel prices. In short, it stinks all around. =\
view OneWallKitchen's profile
Rebate checks are coming out soon. I hope some readers here think about donating money to their local food pantry. It didn't occur to me until a friend mentioned it, but what a good cause.
view Squirrely's profile
This Saturday, May 10th, is the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. The USPS will be collecting non-perishable food items. If your mailbox is large enough, you can put the food donation in a bag and place it in your mailbox. Your letter carrier will do the rest.
view Nougat's profile
Thanks, Nougat! That's a great tip.
view EmmaC's profile
I don't know about elsewhere, but the only place I can donate actual food is when the Post Office has their annual drive. Everyplace else wants cash. Maybe if they went back to accepting food donations, things would look up.
view rose's profile
Rose, you can try local churches and community centers, and sometimes even police departments and fire stations--they often host pantries for people who need them and accept dry goods to stock in them. Also, organizations like Second Harvest (http://www.secondharvest.org/) and host food drives and accept food donations--you just have to find out when an event like this is being hosted.
view OneWallKitchen's profile