Obamas Volunteer At Food Bank

[bigtree]

President Barack Obama and members of his family volunteered their service in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday by helping Washington's Capital Area Food Bank, a local food pantry for people in need.

President Obama, his daughters, First Lady Michelle and her mother, Marian Robinson, and her nephew Avery Robinson were on hand at the food pantry to help with packing and distributing food bags for those in need.

Obama exchanged seasonal greetings and small talk with patrons as he handed out packets of carrots. His daughter Sasha was at his side handing out boxes of sweets.

The family was accompanied by players from the Oregon State basketball team, which is coached by the first lady's brother, Craig Robinson. The team is in the Washington area to play Towson University, near Baltimore, on Saturday.

read: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/Obama-Family-Volunteers-at-Local-Food-Bank--134454338.html




When a group of low-income seniors and children from throughout the region visited the Capital Area Food Bank the day before Thanksgiving, they were stunned and delighted to find President and Mrs. Obama and members of their extended family packing and distributing bags filled with special holiday food.

Lynn Brantley, President and CEO of the CAFB, said, "This is truly a special day for all of us. Thank you President and Mrs. Obama, Sasha and Malia, and your family and friends for volunteering today and helping us feed those in need. You have made this a memorable Thanksgiving by helping send a message on behalf of those struggling with hunger in these difficult times."

Today's volunteers packed food bags for three of the CAFB's programs. Low-income seniors participating in the food bank's Senior Brown Bag program are provided with monthly bags of food and educational information on nutrition at 34 area locations. Children who receive free or reduced breakfast and lunch during the week at school are also given nutritious bags of food from Weekend Bag program distribution sites. The Kids Cafe program serves 2,000 children in 60 locations in recreation, religious and community centers and schools throughout the region. The bags are packed by volunteers -- 14,000 annually -- at the food bank and delivered by food bank trucks to the partner agencies, or sites designed to serve children.

Today's food recipients regularly participate in five of over 700 CAFB partner agencies in the Washington metro area: Brookland Manor Boys and Girls Club, Washington, D.C.; SEED, Inc., Riverdale, MD; Avondale/Manor Apartments, Hyattsville, MD; Queenstown, Mount Rainier, MD; and Shabach Emergency Resource & Empowerment Center, Landover, MD.

read: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/president-obama-and-family-volunteer-at-capital-area-food-bank-for-special-thanksgiving-food-distribution-to-regions-hungry-2011-11-23


http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/peAmai0b.3UHzh7OnaNClQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zNDY7cT04NTt3PTUxMg--/

(In his weekly address) President Barack Obama said Thanksgiving this year will be “more difficult than most” for many Americans because of economic challenges. He called on “each of us to do our part” to help the nation return to prosperity.

“No matter how tough things are right now, we still give thanks for that most American of blessings, the chance to determine our own destiny,” Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address, timed for the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S.

The president said the nation can overcome its challenges despite “all the partisanship and gridlock here in Washington.”

“The problems we face didn’t develop overnight, and we won’t solve them overnight,” Obama said. “But we will solve them. All it takes is for each of us to do our part.”

read: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-24/obama-says-u-s-can-set-own-destiny-in-thanksgiving-message.html


http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/dwih6NTY7btZiVvkg63.Fw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zNjU7cT04NTt3PTUxMg--/

President Obama discussed the trip this morning at the White House:

Later today, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I will also be taking two unnamed turkeys, who weren't so lucky, to a local food bank here in D.C. that helps those in need. And I want to thank the folks at Jaindl's Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania, for donating these dressed birds for the third year in a row.

A great writer once called Thanksgiving the "one day that is ours … the one day that is purely American."

When we gather around our tables tomorrow to share the fruits of our blessings, let's remember what that means. Let's be grateful for what we have. Let's be mindful of those who have less. Let's appreciate those who hold a special place in our lives, and make sure that they know it. And let's think about those who can't spend the holiday with their loved ones –- especially the members of our military serving overseas. I'd like to thank all our men and women in uniform and their families for their incredible service and devotion.

And that's what being an American is all about. Even when times are tough, we look out for each other. We lift each other up. And we remind ourselves just how lucky we are here, together, in the greatest country on Earth.

So from our family to yours, I want to wish everybody a wonderful and happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

read: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/11/obamas-pay-thanksgiving-visit-to-food-bank/1


http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/gMBgz2GPXlxV47M3wokw6Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zMDA7cT04NTt3PTQ1MA--/

President Barack Obama has telephoned 10 U.S. service members stationed abroad to wish them a happy Thanksgiving and praise their military service.

Obama made the calls Thursday morning from the Oval Office to two members each from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy who are deployed in support of U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Obama has made the Thanksgiving calls each year since becoming president.

Obama is also encouraging Americans to remember the men and women of the military who are spending the holiday serving overseas. And he thanks those who are taking time out of their Thanksgiving celebrations to serve in soup kitchens and shelters.

The first family later Thursday was sitting down for a holiday feast including turkey, ham, cornbread stuffing, oyster stuffing, greens, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and dinner rolls. Dessert selections included banana cream pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, huckleberry pie and cherry pie.

read: http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/24/9000919-first-family-celebrates-thanksgiving


http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/4FaYWfb3OfS8YgStom132A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zNzE7cT04NTt3PTUxMg--/


watch President and family at food bank: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8911882/Barack-Obama-volunteers-at-Thanksgiving-food-bank.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obamas-visit-local-food-bank/2011/11/24/gIQA9ZQEsN_video.html

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/Obama-Family-Volunteers-at-Local-Food-Bank--134454338.html

radio address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/11/24/weekly-address-thanksgiving-grateful-men-and-women-who-defend-our-country

[liberal N proud]

1. Obama's are special and have a good history of giving back to the community.

[dameocrat67]

5. good republicans promote charity as an alternative to welfare

all the time and volunteer at soup kitchens on the holidays. George and Laura Bush used to do this all the time, after they cut social services.

[liberal N proud]

9. The GOP volunteer only on holidays

That is the difference!

Some do it for show (GOP) others do it because it is the right thing to do.

[dameocrat67]

15. They both do it for show since in reality

they both want to shaft the poor, in favor of the rich.

[liberal N proud]

34. The Obama's have a history of volunteering LONG before he ran for office

Remember the the pukes has such a stink over him being a community organizer?

We have short term memories in this country and soon forget the good things people do!

[spanone]

31. your point?

[kestrel91316]

2. I can hear the freepers shrieking in rage all the way on the West Coast.

[dameocrat67]

3. Actually republicans always promote food kitchens as an alternative

to welfare. That is what a thousand points of light was about. The Bushs used to volunteer for soup kitchens too.

[kestrel91316]

16. Sorry. You must not get out much. Republicans denigrate 100% of what the

Obamas do, particularly when it is a form of social service.

[bluestate10]

19. You are continually promoting that fucking lie.

What are you? Obama started his career as a community organizer trying to make the lives of everyday people better. With his education, he could have gone into the best law firms or security firms. But he chose to work for virtually nothing.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

25. everything he has done since being IN lawschool

and maybe before that, was a calculated move to climb up into the stratosphere of power in government. don't get me wrong; i do not disapprove of that at all. however, let's not make the man out to be a saint...

sP

[ellisonz]

27. He's ambitious.

How is that bad? I'd rather have someone who really wants the job than someone who feels obligated to by family or political indoctrination. Dudes, an over-achiever - it's not like he was born into this - his roots are humble and his meaning is well.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

29. i expressly said that i don't disapprove

but making it look like he took a 'lower salary' for anything other than part of a plan to get to where he is now is disingenuous. like i said, let's not make ambition appear saintly.

sP

[jbnow]

35. You can't say why he did it either. Pretty sure community organizing

was not part of this plan though, it was before law school and did pay crap (13k). It was hid first experience with Chicago so it is doubtful he knew that down the line it might help politically there.
Per reports from those who knew him then he grew disillusioned by how slow/hard it was to bring about change that way and thought that as a lawyer he could do more.

Right after law school what he did was agree to take on a temporary position doing voter registration and that itself was quite a story. It went so well that he was urged into politics at the time but went to the civil rights law firm
Here is one article from January 93 about the Project Vote
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/January-1993/Vote-of-Confidence/

When I was looking at candidates in 2007/2008 I was surprised how much there was to find about Obama written from well before he was 'the' Barack Obama. He got a lot of attention just from being head of Harvard Law Review and then returning to Chicago. They watched what he did and interviewed people about him then. I even found teacher ratings and comments from his students. What people said about him before he went national made a bit more of an impression because they were less likely to kiss ass.
I didn't save them but remembered title of the old one I linked

The point is that it made more of an impression on me then what he wrote about himself ot what people say more currently. Yes he became power hungry but step by step it showed a man longing to make change and doing what he could.
As far as this volunteer thing goes... if he was not president I bet he and his family would be doing something similar if just as a way to teach their kids.
It's a good example for country now as well as the kids

[bigtree]

36. even as a lawyer he helped folks facing foreclosure

[ellisonz]

37. I don't think he's "saintly"...

...nor do I think he's wanted to be President since Kindergarten or something. He's seized the moment a couple times and its served him well. I mean let's be honest - he could probably be rolling in piles of Benjamin's if he wanted too but he's chose public service. That's something not to be dismissed, but encouraged. He's also dedicated his time to teaching law. He's just a good guy doing the best he can. He didn't plan this.

[lunatica]

4. Sounds nice doesn't it

music to my ears

[dameocrat67]

doesnt make up for the extending Bushs tax cuts, or

the bailouts or cutting social security and medicare.

[emulatorloo]

10. Take it up with the Republicans

You appear to give them a free pass.

PS you just made up the part about social security and Medicare.

[dameocrat67]

14. obama endorsed the super committee

which was created to cut both and if they didnt automatically cut them with no democratic oversite what so ever.

I only think perhaps 1/8 of all politicians are worth a crap and wont pretend they are better than they are.

[bigtree]

18. do you realize just how many committees are 'endorsed' by Presidents

The idea is to get both parties together to hash out their positions on some issue or the other and see if they can come to an agreement. The product and conclusion of most of these committees are routinely ignored by presidents and congresses alike.

Interesting that this President has never asked for any of the onerous initiatives and policies folks often accuse him of wanting so badly in any of his budget requests.

Congress has a year to make up their minds what they want to do about the 'trigger'. It remains to be seen if either party will step forward with any proposals which look anything like what was reportedly thrown around behind closed doors. So we'll see.

Almost no one trusts politicians to do the right thing. That's why we keep on top of them.

Being cynical about what's currently happening in the political arena is fine as a pastime or for conversations' sake, but we are challenged just as much as these politicians are to forge the necessary coalitions and generate sufficient support in our political system to effectively advance our ideals and initiatives into action or law.

So we keep at them.

[JoePhilly]

32. Obama Bad Obama Bad Obama Bad

btw ... when exactly did he cut Social security and medicare?

A tea baggger could do better.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rhett o rick]

7. I think this is wonderful. Everyone have a happy Thanksgiving and

remember your local food banks AFTER Thanksgiving.

[emulatorloo]

13. Excellent point about after Thanksgiving. Thanks for the reminder.

[Quartermass]

8. I just can't.

He won't do anything about the banks or the OWS he sent to jail so he volunteers at a food bank.

Well, that deserves a gold clap.

YAY!

[emulatorloo]

12. "the OWS he sent to jail". Link?

[dameocrat67]

17. this is my view

he is just using the homeless as props now that he bailed the bankers that made them homeless.

[PragmaticLiberal]

21. Fwiw, the Obama family has done this many times in the past....before Barack was president.

PS: I know someone who was at this food bank and the Obama family couldn't have been more gracious.

[Number23]

23. Six posts in this thread just CONTINUOUSLY trying to crap on what the president and his family

are doing.

You seem to not realize that your spamming this thread with useless, pointless negativity says much more about you than it does the Obamas.

[uppityperson]

20. What "OWS he sent to jail" are you talking about?

[WillyT]

11. Wonderful !!! - K & R !!!

:kick:

[applegrove]

22. I love seeing pictures of the first family. Thanks.

[JI7]

24. doesn't make up for him eating cake on his birthday

[ellisonz]

28. He's loosening his belt...

...while the rest of us are reduced to electrical cords. :7

[idiotgardener]

30. but then...

NOTHING could!

[mwrguy]

26. K&R!

[mmonk]

33. Good on him. We noticed quite a lot of desperate families at

Catholic Parish Outreach this week. If you have any time available during the holiday season, volunteer for those in need. Pay it forward.