| Hunger in the News |
| Hunger in the News In a November 30th NY Times article, Food Banks, in a Squeeze, Tighten Belts, the critical situation facing America’s food banks was brought to nationwide attention. As the demand for food continues to spiral upwards, our food banks are plagued by rising costs, decreased availability of food, and reduced government assistance. Many have been forced to close, and others are rationing supplies or distributing staples normally reserved for emergency relief. Several food bank spokespeople claimed that conditions this year are the worst they have been in nearly 30 years. Food bank executives across the country, from New England to California, have reported similar trends. Table to Table Executive Director, Ilene Isaacs, sees a rising demand for food in New Jersey, as well. “As the budgets of the working poor are stretched to their limits, any downward shift in the economy or unexpected additional expense can throw a family into financial crisis,” says Isaacs. According to the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), more than 35.5 million people lived in households struggling against hunger in 2006, an increase of more than 300,000 compared to the year before. On November 14, 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its annual food insecurity rates showing that the number of Americans living in households that were not able to afford the food they need has risen in six of the last seven years. “As costs for food, energy, and housing continue to rise and wages stagnate or decline, households are finding themselves increasingly strapped. Millions have difficulty affording a healthy and adequate diet,” said Jim Weill, president of FRAC. “This may mean even worse numbers in 2007. We need to do more to make sure that households have access to healthy food by improving and expanding proven programs that help.” Table to Table IS a proven program that helps. And it helps right here on a daily basis in our own community, northeast New Jersey, delivering fresh and perishable food that would otherwise be wasted to nearly 50 agencies throughout the area serving a variety of social and human service needs, along with the "working poor." While food banks fight escalating overhead costs, Table to Table has an advantage because the food is delivered on the day it is donated, thereby avoiding the need for warehouse facilities and keeping its costs largely limited to the staffing and operation of its vehicles. Since its inception in 1999, Table to Table has grown each year. In 2007 Table to Table will deliver enough food to serve 5 million meals and it anticipates that 2008 will be even more successful. Its Endowment Campaign is working towards ensuring that this service becomes a permanent gift to the community. As long as there is hunger in New Jersey, Table to Table will be there to assist those in need. |