Chicago Tribune, April 17, 2008: Hunger in America
April 17, 2008
While in many parts of the world, hunger and poverty are indeed more pervasive and acute, we certainly take issue with the Chicago Tribune’s characterization that food prices in the United States are “largely an irritation” (“Global crisis grows as food prices soar; What’s considered largely an irritation in the U.S. threatens worldwide social upheaval as hunger strains poor nations” (Page 1, April 13).
This lack of recognition that hunger is a real and growing problem in this America is truly part of the problem. The American public, government leaders and policymakers somehow still don’t recognize the fact that more than 34 million men, women and children in this country don’t always know where they will find their next mealor how they will pay for it.
Being unable to provide your family with adequate and nutritious food is much more than simply an “irritation.”
It is a daily struggle, and a huge source of worry, anguish and despair.
The demand for food provided to the food pantries and soup kitchens served by our members has been rising significantly.
There is no denying that the ailing U.S. economy, home foreclosures and rising food and fuel prices are taking their toll on American families. At the same time, from Oregon to Vermont, food banks and food service agencies are experiencing shortages largely due to dramatic declines in aid from surplus commodity purchases by the federal government.
Struggling to fill an unprecedented need, food banks are being forced to give people less, or worse, turn people away when they run out of food.
A new Farm Bill, which would provide necessary improvements to strengthen the level of food assistance support to low-income Americans, still sits stalled in Congress.
Action is imperative, or families in need will remain without the critical help this legislation can provide.
Vicki Escarra
President and CEO
America’s Second Harvest
Chicago