Reply #2: And not just in California

[meganmonkey]

This is a serious and growing problem across the country, media ignores it, and too many Americans think hunger only happens to people who are 'too lazy to work' or something....but most of the people we feed (I work for a food bank/food rescue) are elderly or children. I get calls all day from elderly folks who can't make ends meet because of medical bills, or parents who are worried about feeding their kids since school breakfast & lunch programs aren't available in the summer.

VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER!!!!

Hunger is a year-round problem - not just at Christmas and Thanksgiving when people are thinking about sharing. It frustrates me how many well-intentioned people call because they want their kids to volunteer at our soup kitchen on the holidays - what about the other 363 days a year?! They seem surprised that they are the 10th offer we've had that day and we don't need anymore help on Christmas, and very few of them take me up on the idea that maybe they could do it a different day...Like it doesn't mean as much if it is January 8th or July 17th.

Donate your time, your money, your food! Even if it is just a few hours a month it means a lot to your community!