1 in 8 Americans went hungry last year, how many 2009 ?

by SOLARLIFE | November 21, 2008 at 03:22 pm

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You will be surprised about the new Hungry, people from good paid jobs, seeking food.

CNN Senior National Editor

The young man, wearing a shirt and a tie, turned up just as the pantry operated by an Iowa food bank was closing for the night.

He knew it was after-hours. That’s why he was there.

He kept his gaze downward as he told the woman from the food bank that he had lost his job, had a wife and kids and was too embarrassed and ashamed to stand in line to receive a bag of groceries that hopefully would feed his family for a week.

I have a master degree, hungry ?

I have a master’s degree. I shouldn’t have to do this, he said.

I heard this story last December, a few weeks before the Iowa presidential caucus.

Throughout this election season I talked with professionals and volunteers at food banks and pantries across the country.

The refrain was the same from Oregon to South Carolina, from Maine to Texas: Demand was rising, easily outstripping supply.

More and more new faces were standing in line; not looking anyone else in the eye, hoping not to be recognized by friends or neighbors.

Ask the Foodbank, you gave money before, to feed you, not easy

The bitter irony for some was that once they had contributed to their local food bank. Now they needed its help.

These people did not fit the stereotype of who comes to a pantry, a shelter or a kitchen.

A lost job, an unexpected medical expense, a utility bill or difficulty paying the rent or mortgage - especially during a period of high food prices - any of these can push people into that line.

The freshest statistics, covering 2007, were served up this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

An estimated 36.2 million people struggled with some form of hunger (or, to use the government term, “food insecurity.”)

That’s 12.2 percent of the population – one in eight Americans.

Almost 1 million children hungry in America

Among them . . . some 691,000 children.

That was last year.

We know what direction the economic arrows point this year.

When he takes office next year, President-elect Obama will have a menu full of priorities. There should be room for hunger on his plate.

My right to survive

What ever it is, difficult times need change in behaviour. Asking for the basic needs, like food, may be discriminating, but times can change. It is a temporary survival situation. Many had to learn this during life to overcome personal proud. The Food kitchens in Detroit came and went away with the introduction of the Ford Taurus. The final countdown of the classic combustion car industry inevitable. Survivors will go green, like Volkswagen-Porsche decided today. However for Middle class people to ask for Food and Take it, a terrible experience.

A bus station a t Mexico city

I remember waiting at a bus station at Mexico city 3 days for a bus to Puerto Vallarta. Unshaved, the 3rd night hanging around a good dressed Mexican Family offered me bananas and bread. I was scared, a minute, should I explain who I am ? They were so friendly, I took the bananas, the bread. I started to eat, if you are hungry you must eat man. I experienced how it feels to be considered as poor, but first eat.

Restaurant du Coeur for Hungry in France

The next 3 years we have to think how to feed the Hungry victims of the Crisis in dignity. In France we have the "Restaurants du Coeur" / "Fast food for Hungry people with a heart for your problem". The Restaurants take food from commercial restaurants and present it in a decent way for hungry people. The Founder Coluche a well known Comedian once made it even to a president Candidate in France. So Obama don't forget the hungry, all together we get some Ideas. Christmas the first proof how we manage the difficult transfer times.

Remember the growing Tent cities during winter time all over the planet. Fight poverty !

Walking along the street to the bank, at the corner with the tree in front, always a clean set of two ancient computer packaging cartons. I wondered who ever puts this worthless boxes there. Untill I come back one night and saw the Head of an elder women, just the head out of the box; the place where she slept every night. I was ashamed, went back, gave her some money, a smile from her. I was angry unable or unwilling to help. This society has to change. People have not to sleep in a box ! What would an Indian tell me ?

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Erik Larson

at 21:06 on November 22nd, 2008

wow.

This sucks- i sure hope the increased suffering prompts more people to look at the power structure in the US and organize effectively to level the playing field. Even the top 1% will benefit from an economic system that serves the public interest. They've been doing a shitty job anyway, and have destroyed much of their own fake electronic wealth. They have proven they shouldn't be trusted with power and decision making authority- although we can blame everyone who voted for Obama, thinking he would be change.

EDIT- this last remark about blaming Obama voters is tongue in cheek- i just hope people will educate themselves politically; if Obama tries substantive change, he will wind up like Lincoln, MLK, the dead Kennedys and Wellstone- however, his voting record and cabinet picks indicate he thinks the status quo is the way to go, not "change".

Still, something's probably gonna give, cuz I don't think a few patches to the rigged markets are gonna bring the wealth and illusions back this time- and why shouldn't we implement a better system anyway?

A far more efficient economic system is possible