The Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was signed into law by President Obama last week will provide much needed stimulus to hunger relief organizations and the people who depend on us. Additional funding of $19.9 billion for the food stamp program that is called Food Support in Minnesota (and SNAP in the rest of the country) will most likely begin as soon as April. This is good news for the more than 31 million Americans who rely on Food Support each month.
For food banks, an increase of $150 million for the TEFAP program will provide more good quality commodity food for food banks to distribute. This additional food comes at a time when we are struggling to find the food resources to meet the increasing needs in our communities.
The stimulus will also provide additional funding for WIC, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and for grants to states for senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels.
This is good news for hunger relief organizations as we try to meet the increase in need with limited resources. The safety net is thin, but the stimulus will help fill some of the holes.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Itasca County Food Shelf Coalition
Today a new coalition was formed - the Itasca County Food Shelf Coalition. The leaders of the food shelves from Bigfork, Deer River, Warba and Grand Rapids met with the United Way of 1000 Lakes at Second Harvest Food Bank this morning. The new coalition will seek funding from the United Way to meet the increasing needs for emergency food assistance in Itasca County.
The numbers of people receiving food from these food shelves has increased by almost 50% since 2003. The current economic crisis has caused even more people to turn to food shelves for help feeding their families. The Itasca County Food Shelf Coalition will seek funding from the United Way to help meet this most basic of needs - food.
Without increased funding, food shelves will have a difficult time providing enough extra food to for the people who now find themselves needing help. Unemployment, job layoffs, cuts in work hours and the increasing costs for housing, transportation and food are causing more people than ever before to seek assistance. Additional funding for food shelves is crucial this year.
Meeting at Second Harvest today were Kathy Thompson and Kathy Nelson from Deer River Food Shelf, Pearl Barter from the Warba Food Shelf, Bonnie Cole from Northern Itasca Food Shelf in Bigfork, Ellen Christmas from the Grand Rapids Food Shelf, Jody Hane, Executive Director of United Way of 1000 Lakes and me, Sue Estee.
The Itasca County Food Shelf Coalition will continue to provide food to low-income people in Itasca County until all citizens are able to meet their own needs and a safety net is no longer needed.
The numbers of people receiving food from these food shelves has increased by almost 50% since 2003. The current economic crisis has caused even more people to turn to food shelves for help feeding their families. The Itasca County Food Shelf Coalition will seek funding from the United Way to help meet this most basic of needs - food.
Without increased funding, food shelves will have a difficult time providing enough extra food to for the people who now find themselves needing help. Unemployment, job layoffs, cuts in work hours and the increasing costs for housing, transportation and food are causing more people than ever before to seek assistance. Additional funding for food shelves is crucial this year.
Meeting at Second Harvest today were Kathy Thompson and Kathy Nelson from Deer River Food Shelf, Pearl Barter from the Warba Food Shelf, Bonnie Cole from Northern Itasca Food Shelf in Bigfork, Ellen Christmas from the Grand Rapids Food Shelf, Jody Hane, Executive Director of United Way of 1000 Lakes and me, Sue Estee.
The Itasca County Food Shelf Coalition will continue to provide food to low-income people in Itasca County until all citizens are able to meet their own needs and a safety net is no longer needed.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Economic Stimulus
Everyone is talking about the economic stimulus. How will it affect the people that depend on food banks and food shelves? We know that the House passed economic recovery package will increase funding for food stamps known as Food Support in Minnesota and SNAP elsewhere. Putting extra resources into food stamp allowances will put much needed food on the tables of low income people.
There is also additional funding for the WIC program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. The TEFAP program is very important for food banks. This program provides high quality commodity food for food banks to distribute to food shelves and soup kitchens.
The economic crisis has significantly increased demand at our food bank. New faces are visiting us every day due to rising unemployment, layoffs and increasing costs for basic needs like housing, food and heating.
The Senate's American Recovery and Investment Act includes increased funding for these extremely important programs. It is critical for food banks that these funds are available so that we can meet the needs of low income people who are disproportionately affected by the recession.
There is also additional funding for the WIC program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. The TEFAP program is very important for food banks. This program provides high quality commodity food for food banks to distribute to food shelves and soup kitchens.
The economic crisis has significantly increased demand at our food bank. New faces are visiting us every day due to rising unemployment, layoffs and increasing costs for basic needs like housing, food and heating.
The Senate's American Recovery and Investment Act includes increased funding for these extremely important programs. It is critical for food banks that these funds are available so that we can meet the needs of low income people who are disproportionately affected by the recession.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Renew America Together
President Elect Obama has called on Americans to join him in a National Day of Service on January 19th. He is asking us to "Renew America Together" not just on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and the eve of Inauguration Day, but to make a committment to on-going service throughout the year. We know that You understand and practice service to others and we sincerely appreciate President Elect Obama bringing national attention to the cause of hunger.
Our new president knows and undertands hunger issues. His mother used food stamps for a short time when he was a child. His campaign published a paper with the Obama/Biden plan for "Tackling Domestic Hunger." He has expressed support for federal nutrition programs that provide hunger assistance, especially for children.
Join us and support Renewing America Together. There are many ways you can learn about hunger in America and in Minnesota. Educate yourself and take action against hunger.
Our new president knows and undertands hunger issues. His mother used food stamps for a short time when he was a child. His campaign published a paper with the Obama/Biden plan for "Tackling Domestic Hunger." He has expressed support for federal nutrition programs that provide hunger assistance, especially for children.
Join us and support Renewing America Together. There are many ways you can learn about hunger in America and in Minnesota. Educate yourself and take action against hunger.
- www.FeedingAmerica.org has a Hunger Action Center. Sign up to be a hunger advocate.
- Check out www.HungerSolutions.org to learn about hunger in Minnesota.
There are many ways to help right here:
- Volunteer at your local food shelf or soup kitchen. Second Harvest's website has a list of our member agencies. Find out which one is closest to you and give them a call.
- Call Second Harvest to volunteer at the food bank 218.326.4420.
- Organize a food drive or a fund drive at work or with an organization you belong to.
- Tell your local goverment officials that hunger relief policies are important and should be supported.
Join in the committment to service and we will "Renew America Together."
Friday, January 9, 2009
Happy New Year?
Now is the time we generally look back at the past year and set goals for the next. Last year wasn't all bad, but there were many challenges:
- More and more people are in crisis and need food assistance
- The food supply wasn't available to keep up with the demand
- Food costs rose significantly
- Fuel costs for food delivery skyrocketed
The good news is that we have incredible support from the community:
- Many volunteers are willing and able to help
- Financial donations met our goals
- Our programs provided food assistance and hope to thousands of people
- We have one new truck on the road and another coming this month that will enable more efficient, reliable delivery to our 145 agencies
Our goals for 2009 are to acquire and distribute almost 3.5 million pounds of food this year. There are many unknowns that will certainly affect our ability to meet this goal. Food distributors may be less likely to donate, foundations have decreased resources for grants, corporations may cut their charitable donations and individuals, who formerly supported food banks and food shelves, may find themselves in need instead.
There are two things I'm sure we can count on. 1.) Unfortunately, more people will be in need of food assistance before this economic crisis improves, 2.) Fortunately, our volunteers and donors will continue to help as much as they are able.
It will be a good year...together we will do all that we can to end hunger in our communities. Happy New Year!
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