The human stories are heartrending. There's the most wonderful program, Food Security for America, that provides enough food so that people aren't constantly worried about going without a meal. I called a woman on the waiting list to tell her that she could join the program now, and her excitement, relief, joy and gratitude came pouring over the phone. She was on her way back from returning an item to a discount store so that she could use the $30 refund for food for her children. Another mother spoke of the "competition" between herself and her teenage sons to see who would get to the food first at the beginning of the month. A group of LEGAL immigrant adults had to move in together in an apartment. When their representative joined the Food Security for America program, he had tears in his eyes as repeated over and over again, "There's no work - there's no work..." A father, who came to an orientation meeting to join Food Security for America, looked so worn-down and defeated. When he left the first meeting with a large quantity of food, he held his head high and had new energy - once again, he was providing for his family.
Hand-ups, not hand-outs, should be part of this great country's DNA. The human impact of small quantity, low-nutritive, precarious food budgets is profound. It's much greater on an emotional and even a spiritual level than the numbers reveal.
Les Roque - 14 years ago
First of all, it is hard to believe that as a country that cares so much to take care of poverty through out the world, that we do not instill that believe in taking care of our own.
My story is not impressive but it has its point.
i was an IT contractor back in 2001 when 911 hit which caused by job as well as many at the time.
I spent 10 1/2 months looking for any kind of work or pay just to keep some kind of income coming. Because I was self employed i couldn't collect unemployment but luckily had a tidy sum put away.
This lasted us ( myself and my three young children ) anout 9 months.
as the money ran out and was not going to be able to make rent, I went to apply for assistance to place my children under a roof and feed them. As well, I express that I would do any type of labor to compesate for the assistance. We were turned down by the County, but with God's help I was able to get a part-time job at the post office and we are still budgetting to survive but many others are not as lucky and where is the help for those??
Thank you, hopefully our country will do right here at home.
Ann - 14 years ago
For years I have paid for food for various of three of my four children because food stamps were so limited and bills were paid first before eating. It is especially hard now with food prices rising daily and food stamps almost nil. Sixteen dollars to feed two adults? So much for government help. At one time in my young life I fed husbane, baby and self on $25 a month. It now costs close to $700 a month for two elderly folks, plus allowances to two out of work middle age children for food who are out of work. A third lives on SSI and food stamps which I add to. People with health problems should in no way go hungry. I also contribute to charity meals at holiday times. I hope one day someone will look out for me, but I doubt it.
Ann - 14 years ago
For years I have paid for food for various of three of my four children because food stamps were so limited and bills were paid first before eating. It is especially hard now with food prices rising daily and food stamps almost nil. Sixteen dollars to feed two adults? So much for government help. At one time in my young life I fed husbane, baby and self on $25 a month. It now costs close to $700 a month for two elderly folks, plus allowances to two out of work middle age children for food who are out of work. A third lives on SSI and food stamps which I add to. People with health problems should in no way go hungry. I also contribute to charity meals at holiday times. I hope one day someone will look out for me, but I doubt it.
The human stories are heartrending. There's the most wonderful program, Food Security for America, that provides enough food so that people aren't constantly worried about going without a meal. I called a woman on the waiting list to tell her that she could join the program now, and her excitement, relief, joy and gratitude came pouring over the phone. She was on her way back from returning an item to a discount store so that she could use the $30 refund for food for her children. Another mother spoke of the "competition" between herself and her teenage sons to see who would get to the food first at the beginning of the month. A group of LEGAL immigrant adults had to move in together in an apartment. When their representative joined the Food Security for America program, he had tears in his eyes as repeated over and over again, "There's no work - there's no work..." A father, who came to an orientation meeting to join Food Security for America, looked so worn-down and defeated. When he left the first meeting with a large quantity of food, he held his head high and had new energy - once again, he was providing for his family.
Hand-ups, not hand-outs, should be part of this great country's DNA. The human impact of small quantity, low-nutritive, precarious food budgets is profound. It's much greater on an emotional and even a spiritual level than the numbers reveal.
First of all, it is hard to believe that as a country that cares so much to take care of poverty through out the world, that we do not instill that believe in taking care of our own.
My story is not impressive but it has its point.
i was an IT contractor back in 2001 when 911 hit which caused by job as well as many at the time.
I spent 10 1/2 months looking for any kind of work or pay just to keep some kind of income coming. Because I was self employed i couldn't collect unemployment but luckily had a tidy sum put away.
This lasted us ( myself and my three young children ) anout 9 months.
as the money ran out and was not going to be able to make rent, I went to apply for assistance to place my children under a roof and feed them. As well, I express that I would do any type of labor to compesate for the assistance. We were turned down by the County, but with God's help I was able to get a part-time job at the post office and we are still budgetting to survive but many others are not as lucky and where is the help for those??
Thank you, hopefully our country will do right here at home.
For years I have paid for food for various of three of my four children because food stamps were so limited and bills were paid first before eating. It is especially hard now with food prices rising daily and food stamps almost nil. Sixteen dollars to feed two adults? So much for government help. At one time in my young life I fed husbane, baby and self on $25 a month. It now costs close to $700 a month for two elderly folks, plus allowances to two out of work middle age children for food who are out of work. A third lives on SSI and food stamps which I add to. People with health problems should in no way go hungry. I also contribute to charity meals at holiday times. I hope one day someone will look out for me, but I doubt it.
For years I have paid for food for various of three of my four children because food stamps were so limited and bills were paid first before eating. It is especially hard now with food prices rising daily and food stamps almost nil. Sixteen dollars to feed two adults? So much for government help. At one time in my young life I fed husbane, baby and self on $25 a month. It now costs close to $700 a month for two elderly folks, plus allowances to two out of work middle age children for food who are out of work. A third lives on SSI and food stamps which I add to. People with health problems should in no way go hungry. I also contribute to charity meals at holiday times. I hope one day someone will look out for me, but I doubt it.