When the Cupboard is Bare

[Stuart G]

Source: New York Times

REBECCA MUSCARELLO had long worked as a secretary, so she never imagined that at age 35 she would be left with no choice but to take her two children to a food pantry to get groceries. But like a growing number of Americans whose jobs have evaporated in a shrinking economy, Ms. Muscarello ran outof money and then food.

In the four months since June, demand for food aid has risen 20 percent in areas of the country with the healthiest economies and more than 40 percent in areas with the weakest, leaders of nonprofit food-distribution organizations say. And they predict that the need will keep growing in 2009 if the job market continues to contract, as expected.


Since the spring, the number of people showing up hungry at food pantries and soup kitchens has surged, straining the capacity of many organizations in the vast, largely unseen and lightly financed network of volunteer emergency feeding operations. Many are newcomers who were reluctant to seek help until they had no choice.

Requests are so high that some food centers are turning away the hungry. In Winston-Salem, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina posted a notice on its Web site advising food pantries and soup kitchens of an 8- to 10-week wait to find out whether their membership had been approved.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/giving/11FOOD.html?h

[SpiralHawk]

1. Meanwhile, republicon crony oil, munitions, and mercenary PROFITS soar

Thanks a pantload, republicon 'conservatives.' You have flushed the American economy into the crapper of your greed and amorality.

[13 Hawks]

2. Revolutions begin with the poor . . . and hungry

Stories like this are really disgusting. Corporations are getting bailouts by the billions, and everyday-suffering Americans can't get help anywhere--not even a food pantry. Since the Reagan years, most of the social safety nets have been stripped away and agencies closed.

And now winter is upon us with increased heating bills. How does anyone expect those who are struggling to survive? In a few weeks, I have to close my business of 13 years because business has all but stopped in this economy. I've never had to worry about my future, but I do now. And I'm angry. Try finding a job in your mid-50s. It's all scary.

[Stuart G]

4. Yes, Corportations get bailouts, and banks get them...but the poor..

well, guess not..and saddest of all. We do have a surplus of food that could be distributed to our people at very low cost. But food for our own poor is not as important as helping out the Banks, a home problems. Aren't food problems just as important..You gotta eat before you send in that payment for the house, or go to school...or whatever...

[boomerbust]

7. I hear ya Hawk

Try finding a job in your mid 50's with a disability. All you get is laughed at just for applying.

[HughBeaumont]

3. Go ahead Repukes, I believe you were saying something funny . . .

. . . about how Freidman economics/free markets/"Trickle Down" is the ultimate system for job creation and prosperity.

"It DOES work!!1!1!1!!! Any day now, wealth is gonna rein down upon you, and won't YOU be sorry for doubting us!?>>?!2?"

This is the result of Republinomics coming home to roost. Low taxes on the wealthy will eventually have a bill come due for the rest of us. Successful economies employ ALL people, not just the heavily degreed and privileged . . . well, even THOSE people are getting laid off. No other nation in the world has the CEO/worker income gap that we do. Getting rid of our manufacturing and industrial sectors in favor of the lower-paying, lower benefit service world, because the bigwigs only thought about short term quarterly profits, was a phenomenally stupid idea in hindsight.

[Stuart G]

5. This trickle down crap, is just that crap.

I remember the fellow who coined that phrase..(can't recall his name..) someone from Regan Administration..David someone..later admitted that it never worked...

..StillIf this government can give 700 Billion for bailout...then it can give a few more Billion for food for those who need food..But till that comes in, then we need to help..The assholes won't help, so we need to..

[Stuart G]

6. The asshole who used it for Regan was David Stockton...

A major feature of these policies was the reduction of tax rates on capital gains, corporate income, and higher individual incomes, along with the reduction or elimination of various excise taxes. David Stockman, who as Reagan's budget director championed these cuts but then became skeptical of them, told journalist William Greider that the term "supply-side economics" was used to promote a trickle-down idea.<6>
“ It's kind of hard to sell 'trickle down,' so the supply-side formula was the only way to get a tax policy that was really 'trickle down.' Supply-side is 'trickle-down' theory. <7> - David Stockman, Ronald Reagan's budget director ”

The term "trickle-down" comes from an analogy with a phenomenon in marketing, the trickle-down effect.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickle_down_economics

[Stuart G]

8. I just came back from our local food pantry..........

I talked to the person in charge..Very sad, not enough food, and too many coming in for help. I dropped off some food and then made a donation in cash. I live in a middle class suburb about 4 miles away from Chicago. I was told that the biggest problem is convincing people in the community that there is a problem. Many feel that there is no poverty here.

Please think about this...Pantries need food now...
..Thanks for reading this..
..............Stuart.