Blue Collar, Bare Cupboards

[Joanne98]

Ten miles outside Eugene in west central Oregon, little wooden houses and mobile homes make up the town of Alvadore. The homes are too far apart to give the town—population 1,358—the appearance of a city, yet too close together for it to come off as true countryside. Old, domestically manufactured cars line the streets, as well as a few rundown mom-and-pop convenience stores.

Small farmers, mill workers and construction people live here. And they work hard—or at least they do when they can get employment. There’s a dry nuts and prunes plant just outside town, as well as a Country Coach facility that manufactures motor homes. Many of the residents hold down several jobs to make ends meet. Yet for an increasing number of people in Alvadore, getting a paycheck—or even several paychecks—is not the same as earning enough to put food on the table.

Schools throughout the counties of central Oregon, the state’s hunger belt, report that kids come to classes hungry on Mondays—and endure the long summer vacation months when no free school lunches exist.

Alvadore, like many dilapidated towns in modern-day America, is at the wrong end of an array of economic changes—from globalization to higher energy costs—and many of its citizens are falling through the social safety net. The result: increased hunger.

Payday loans and food boxes.
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3574/blue_collar_bare_cupboards/

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I fear this sort of thing will become more common

right now, there are more second hand stores here than other kinds. And more and more people are going to them. There is always a food drive for one kitchen or food pantry or another. I guess we'll just have to learn to help each other out. Hope these folks can at least raise gardens. That will help somewhat. Wonder if there is a charity that would give out seeds for such projects?

[Joanne98]

2. I don't know but that's a good idea. Community gardens too could be run

by charities and churches. People could work in them for an exchange of fresh vegetables.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. yeah

and if heirloom seeds are used, they can be saved from produce and used again the next year. There are many plots of unused land that could become community gardens--in rural areas and in cities as well. And there is nothing healthier than eating fresh produce.

[Doctor_J]

3. These towns should be renamed Bushville or Reaganville

As Smirk would say to one of the people starving despite holding 3 jobs, "You're what America's all about"

Have I mentioned lately how much I hate these people?