Food flying out the door at pantries that aid poor (NE-IA)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140202/NEWS/140209764/1685#food-flying-out-the-door-at-pantries-that-aid-poor

By Betsie Freeman

It's clear to those in charge of regional food banks and pantries that more people need their services.

Federal food stamp cuts last November are a factor, said Cindy Jandrain, coordinator of the St. Vincent de Paul pantry in Omaha. More than 1,600 clients visited in October and November, the highest number since record-keeping began in 1995.

“People were anticipating the cut,” Jandrain said. “Food's going out the door fast.”

The loss of long-term unemployment benefits at the end of last year also plays a part, said Lindsay Pingel, communications manager for the Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines. More than 3,000 Iowans are feeling that pinch, she said.

FULL story at link.

[Skittles]

1. urging anyone who can to support their local food bank

they really need help

[Warpy]

2. And do it with money, if you can

The local food bank says they buy about $15.00 worth of retail food worth for every dollar donated. They make deals all over the place in order to do this so there aren't many mystery cans, dented and without labels.

Five bucks would become $75.00 if they paid supermarket prices. Food banks are one place you can be sure most of what you donate goes to people in need, not to mailing campaigns or lavish salaries.

[Skittles]

4. YES

I absolutely agree

[rhett o rick]

5. I agree. But if you want to be sure how your money is handled, join the Board of Directors, or

look at their books. I believe they have to make them available to the public.

[jsr]

3. Meanwhile the military spent $34 million to build an empty headquarters facility in Afghanistan