November 24, 2010
	This publication is your opportunity to receive regular updates on the work and the issues that I have been involved with, both in Harrisburg and throughout our community. Please visit my Website, where you will find a comprehensive overview of our work, various phone numbers and contact information to assist you in solving problems, opportunities to volunteer and assist us in our programs and opportunities to give your feedback.

Recession Lengthens Lines and Shrinks Donations at Local Food Banks

When times are tough and money is short, people have an extraordinarily difficult time living the life that they want for themselves and for their family.

Paying the electric and water bills every month becomes a challenge, not an afterthought; buying our children the clothes and toys that they so desire becomes an unaffordable expense, not an affordable luxury; and putting enough food on the table to keep a family healthy and not hungry becomes a lofty goal, not a guarantee.

When I read an article in the Philadelphia Daily News last week that found some Philadelphia families waiting more than 9 hours for the weekly Philabundance food giveaway, my heart sank.

It has been no secret that the recession has taken an unimaginable toll on families at all levels of the economic spectrum. But when you read about your friends and neighbors waiting 9 hours in line so they can feed their family, it really hits home.

The article cited a recent study of food stamp usage in our region since 2007 by Temple University sociology professor David Elesh which found a median increase of 60 percent in affluent suburbs, 46 percent increase in middle-class suburbs and a 48 percent increase in stable working communities.

As anyone can tell, the hardship has been spread around the economic spectrum and to all neighborhoods in the Philadelphia region.

With the alarming increase in families turning to food stamps and soup kitchens, supplies at these facilities are dwindling.

In the article, Community FoodBank of New Jersey executive director Margie Barham said that she found many people now relying on free food programs were donating food to these organizations in years past.

It is disheartening to see the good families that used to donate food now relying on the same food bank to put enough food on their own table.

These families need our help, and they need our help now.

Food banks around the area are facing an uphill battle because of an increasing customer base and a disappearing donor base.

I have been working closely with the SHARE Food Program to help provide meals for families in need this holiday season.

SHARE distributes food through a network of 550 food pantries throughout Philadelphia. The number of households that SHARE has fed in 2010 has risen to an astonishing 187,000 from 140,000 just one year ago.

There are a heartbreaking number of families that cannot afford to put a Thanksgiving dinner on the table for their families tomorrow. We need to be thankful for what we have, but we need to remember to help our friends and neighbors during the holiday season.

If there is any way that your family can help those in need around the area, I encourage you to contact one of the listed food banks throughout the area and lend a hand.

I hope that everyone has an enjoyable and safe Thanksgiving.

Food Banks in Philadelphia Region

SHARE Food Program
215-223-2220
www.sharefoodprogram.org

Philabundance
215-339-0900
www.philabundance.org/

The Food Trust
215-575-0444
www.thefoodtrust.org

Community FoodBank of New Jersey
609-383-8843
www.njfoodbank.org/

Food Bank of South Jersey
856-662-4884
www.foodbanksj.org

 

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