Food Banks' Lines Only Grow Longer (Wichita, KS)

"Hundreds more local people appear to have fallen into poverty since last year, Wichita charity directors say. And now some charities say they need more than money and food. They need help. Some volunteers are growing tired.

Bread of Life food pantry volunteers have signed up an additional 55 to 85 families for assistance each week through most of the year. They think 8,000 people or more will show up for an annual turkey distribution Nov. 23. United Methodist Urban Ministry served 700 more families from August through October than in the same months last year. Catholic Charities officials say hundreds more people than last year have come seeking food. The Lord's Diner fed 406 people nightly through October, up 14 people a night from last year.

"A lot of faces are people we haven't seen before, and they are entire families where mom and dad both have jobs," director Wendy Glick said. "You can tell they are first-timers because they look so uncomfortable." Nearly 10 percent of Sedgwick County's population lived below the poverty line in 2000. That climbed to 11.5 percent by 2003, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

A lot has happened since 2000 to drive up poverty: Gasoline topped $2 a gallon. Utility costs rose. So did prices for milk, meat and other food staples. The days when pantries fed mostly panhandlers are past. Brian Walker, the executive director of the Kansas Food Bank, says we are seeing the formation of a permanent underclass of poverty in Wichita. Many are working families and elderly who have no choice but to visit food pantries to survive."

EDIT

Read, relax and relish the bright sunshiny prospects of a New Morning In America.

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/local/10151629.htm

You wanted Bushism, you got Bushisn.

I do feel sorry for those who did not vote for him, though.

Sadly, the good apples have to suffer with the stupid, "values" apples.

:-(

hmmmm. now WHO would that be :shrug:

too bad...bzzzzzzzzt..you lose

Looks like some Kansans are.

Near KC where people are more liberal. This is sad but only Bush can help them now. That's my new line. Whenever someone approaches me with a problem: "Only Bush can help you now."

I hate to do it, but it's true.

Maybe he'll come show you his love.

Unless those evil, evil trial lawyers prevent his practicin' his love on the impoverished across 'Murica.

Go to congress.org.

There are actually people who put up their personal information, address, telephone numbers and beg MonkeyBoy for assistance!

"Mr. Bush, I've been out of work for two years and blah, blah, blah..." Then they reaffirm their support for him and how they will pray for him, etc.

Yeah, I'm sure he'll get RIGHT ON THAT ASSHOLE. :eyes:

as far as I'm concerned. My empathy for their local poverty problems is limited. At least they don't live in a bullseye.