Hunger is becoming more chronic

[Judi Lynn]

Hunger is becoming more chronic

Even working families are skipping or skimping on meals in the face of rising bills, several reports say.
Robert Franklin, Star Tribune
Last update: February 23, 2006 – 12:03 AM

In her 39 years, Ana Diaz said, she's gone through leukemia, kidney problems, unemployment and bankruptcy. On Tuesday, the mother of four was at the Sabathani Community Center in south Minneapolis to receive a heavy box of lettuce, bread and other groceries.

"I have kids to support and basically no money," said Diaz, who moved from Florida this winter to be near a better support system and her parents in Minneapolis. "I don't know what I'd do without this place. ... I'm just grateful for it all."

The Sabathani food shelf served perhaps 30 people a day seven years ago. It sees 45 to 50 people a day now, said service coordinator Joan Schneider.

That upsurge is not unusual, according to two reports being made public today.
(snip/...)

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/264373.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. Some Characteristics of the Hungry

Feb. 22, 2006, 11:41PM
Some Characteristics of the Hungry

By The Associated Press
© 2006 The Associated Press

— America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest network of food banks, soup kitchens and shelters, served 25.3 million people last year, a 9 percent increase from 2001.

Here are some of the characteristics of those seeking emergency food assistance:

_ Thirty-nine percent were white, non-Hispanic; 38 percent were black; 17 percent were Hispanic.

_ About 9 million were children.

_ Nearly 3 million were 65 or older.

_ Nearly 70 percent had incomes below the official poverty level, which is $15,067 for a family of three.

_ Twelve percent were homeless.

_ Forty-one percent said they have had to choose between buying food or paying for utilities.

_ About a third said they had to choose between buying food or paying for medicine or medical care.

_ Nearly 30 percent had at least one family member in poor health.

(snip/)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/3679309.html

[rman]

2. kick

[Lindacooks]

3. This is an absolute sin.

And if there's any justice in the world (which doesn't seem like it these days), Bush and Cheney will someday be hungry and know that pain.

[silverweb]

4. Shameful.

But we knew this was where we've been headed for the last few years.

Many of our grocery stores have $1, $5, and $10 donation tickets for the local food bank available at the checkout and I've gotten in the habit of donating that way whenever I shop. It's painless and far more worthwhile than any other last-minute impulse purchases.