Food banks nationwide report more 1st timers

via Yahoo!:



Food banks nationwide report more 1st timers
With layoffs and wage cutbacks, more 1st time visitors at food banks across the country

By Sophia Tareen, Associated Press Writer
On 10:44 am EST, Friday November 27, 2009


CHICAGO (AP) -- Prentice Jones worked construction jobs around Chicago for most of his 60 years and is quick to boast of a foreman job he once held at a revamped city college and 23 years at a steel company.

But these days, work has been so scarce that the man with a penchant for cowboy hats has been forced to move in with his mother and do something this week he never expected -- visit a food pantry.

"There's no work now," Jones said while waiting in line at St. Columbanus Parish for a frozen turkey and bags of apples, bread and potatoes. "I pray it's temporary."

A surge in first time visitors has contributed to the greatest demand in years at food banks nationwide, according to Feeding America, a Chicago-based national food bank association. Many of the first timers were middle class but lost jobs or had their wages cut.

"They were doing pretty well," said Ross Fraser of Feeding America. "They've completely had the rug pulled out from under them." ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Food-banks-nationwide-report-apf-2178299002.html?x=0

their Thanksgiving package for myself and each of my grandchildren. We went to pick it up on the appointed day and there were at least 200 more buyers than usual. They were running behind about 2 hours in distribution. I was amazed. Hopefully many will continue using this buying club because it has good food and reasonable savings.

You can arrange for a monthly donation to your local food bank.

Mine is Food Bank of the Rockies. http://www.foodbankrockies.org

I suspect there are many others who would welcome your help. :)

nt