I suggest EVERYONE read this!

Does this in any way shape or form bother you????

Posted Sunday, November 20, 2011, at 7:26 AM

NAMPA -- A man recently visited the small food pantry at the First Assembly of God Church in Caldwell. Unemployed, he had run out of money and needed to feed his family.

"He was crying," said Anne Foster, the director of the food pantry. "He said he'd never had to ask for help before. It's overwhelming when a grown man cries because he needs food for his children."

Food pantry directors across Canyon County are reporting unprecedented demand for donated food this year, and officials say the demand comes from hardworking people who simply can't make ends meet in the tough economy.

They may have lost their jobs, or they may have jobs that don't pay enough for rent, gas and food.

"The sad part is that these are working families. We've got people coming in who were giving help before, and they're needing help now," said Major Bill Hathorn of the Salvation Army in Nampa.

The number of people using the Salvation Army's food pantry has doubled this year, and about 70 families use the service each day. The pantry has had a hard time meeting the demand, Hathorn said, and the shelves would be bare save for a recent food drive headed by the Boy Scouts.

Mouths to feed

In Caldwell, at the Oasis Worship and Food Center, demand for donated goods at the weekly food distribution has grown gradually over the last 10 years, and spiked in the past two years, Pastor Royce Wright said. The food center now provides food for between 170 and 200 families a week.

"We're dealing with a new segment of the working poor," Wright said.

An average family has to make about $16 an hour to pay for all their needs, he explained, but most jobs in Canyon County pay less than that. Families can pay the bills if both parents are working. However, if one parent loses a job, a family can be left hungry at the end of the month.

In addition to more people visiting the food center this year, Wright said, they also use the food service for a longer time.

Before, a family might take food for three to six months before they get on their feet again. But now, they're more likely to return for a year or more.

Can't get food stamps

There are about 25 food pantries in Canyon County. Run by churches and non-profit organizations, they distribute donated food, much of it collected by the Boise-based Idaho Foodbank.

Demand for donated food in Idaho has increased by 93 percent since 2008, and in the last fiscal year, the Foodbank distributed 10.5 million pounds of food, or the equivalent of 9.2 million meals.

The increased demand points to food insecurity -- when individuals or families don't have access to food for a healthy lifestyle -- as a result of the declining economy, Foodbank CEO Karen Vauk said. About one in six Idahoans are "food insecure," according to research compiled by the Foodbank. Of those, 42 percent live above the government poverty line.

These people can't access government support programs, such as food stamps, but they also can't afford all the groceries they need, Vauk said.

"We're looking at a larger number of people in need. And they are not necessarily those in poverty. We're finding that they are individuals and families who live above the poverty line and still can't make ends meet," she said.

Comments
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Roy,

It bothers me tremendously, you may not see it but myself and my business do a LOT to support and help fill the shelves in local food banks. I prefer to help LOCAL organizations though i.e. church food banks-- Posted by cant justwatch on Sun, Nov 20, 2011, at 10:10 AM

Bothers me alot. I have worked 2 jobs for the last 10 years to make ends meet. I truly sympathize with these folks. And I agree, when someone becomes CEO, it isn't helping any more.

I worked for the Community Action Agency here in town years ago, and it was frustrating to me knowing those that were "over" the income lines, couldn't get help. Seniors who had to choose their Prescriptions or food/heat. That is wrong.

I dont know what will happen, but I and I bet lots of you know some answers. But we won't be listened to.

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sun, Nov 20, 2011, at 10:31 AM

I didn't do this blog to support the Food Bank in any way shape or form. I support LOCAL organizations. I am glad to see that you do your part to help. I re-posted the entire article, I didn't reference the food bank, the article did. Would you please stop reading things into the things I say or post. That creates too many arguments. Would you rather I cherry pick out of an article?

It seems from your second paragraph on, that your post was meant to be argumentative. Sorry, just the way I see it.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Nov 20, 2011, at 10:38 AM

There's many ways now days why people are struggling to buy groceries,medications and pay their bills. People out of work, lost their homes, and prices on the rise for our needy things in life. Like food, heat, water, medications, Doctors just to name a few...

It irks me when I see comments on these blogs, about the bums who milk the system. I bet there are more people in need then there are those that try to get something for free !

I was going to mail a check to the Idaho Food Bank, but after reading your story Roy and Jessie's comment, I think I will mail it to a church or give it to the welfare office.....

We have done something now for many years. Whenever we have something we no longer want, except for clothing we set it out in front of our house and put a "FOR FREE" sign on it. Some one always comes a long and takes it. Just last month we set a vacuum cleaner out there because we got a new one. The old one worked just fine and within hours a lady took it and as she was leaving in her car, she waved and said thank you...

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Nov 20, 2011, at 10:53 AM

Jessie, thanks for your input. Hungry is hungry! A hungry child? HOW DARE WE AS COUNTRY!!!

MEDS OR FOOD? AGAIN HOW DARE WE!

There are answers, but your right, we wont be listened to. Ridiculed, maybe, but listened to, ????

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Nov 20, 2011, at 10:59 AM

MsM, just be sure that whoever you choose to support doesn't ask, HOW MUCH DID YOU EARN LAST MONTH OR LAST YEAR. SEE MY LAST POST.

There are many worthy organizations that feed the hungry, both faith based and community based. They are the ones that need support.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Nov 20, 2011, at 11:03 AM

Enough! Please!

I started a NON POLITICAL BLOG and look where it is now.

One big number that was released lately.

68k Idahoans unemployed, 19k total jobs offered.

Let's get back on track please.

Children are going to bed hungry every night and many elderly DO have to choose between food and meds.

These are facts and not speculation!

What reason is there for some people to turn away from the intent of this blog, and make it what it is now??? WHAT DEFENSE DO YOU OFFER????

I know I'm not going to make any friends for this, but things were going fairly smooth until this morning. Why is that? I'd say more, but that would be out of line on my part.

AND SOME OF YOU WONDER WHY I HAVE AN ATTITUDE????

Go back to the top and re-read EVERYTHING that has been said!!!!!

In case you can't tell, I'm more than just a little annoyed.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Mon, Nov 21, 2011, at 9:18 PM