Comments

Volume 7, Issue 35 - Feature #839

Sunset In the Southwest Colorado...

<a href="http://www.secondharvest.org" target="new"><img align="right" src="http://wtxfoodbank.org/images/logo_lowres.gif" border="0" height="100"></a>One Charity that is definitely at the top of the list on Charity Navigator website is <a href="http://www.secondharvest.org" target="new">America?s Second Harvest ? The Nation?s Food Bank Network</a> (A2H). Bob Forney, CEO of A2H, recently appeared on CNN?s Larry King show about "How You Can Help" this Saturday along with the other charities now involved with the relief efforts in Louisiana, but I think what they provide was highly understated. <br><br> America?s Second Harvest goal is to end hunger. They do this in collaboration with 200+ independent nonprofit Food Banks that serve as receiving and distribution warehouses for thousands of small and large nonprofit faith- and community-based hunger-relief partners to distribute and prepare meals for forgotten people living in poverty in this country. <br><br> When Mr. Forney explained that their network has the infrastructure to get feed those in need because of Hurricane Katrina, he was not kidding. In the neighboring state of Texas, there are 18 Food Banks that regularly supply millions of food, the most basic human need. These people include single mothers struggling to raise one or two healthy kids with a minimum wage job or multiple generational households trying to afford medication, utilities, and food. The Katrina survivors in Texas are homeless. They are receiving food from at each make-shift shelter that is supposedly supplied mostly from the local Food Bank. <br><br> Each Food Bank can supply food to Salvation Armies, Catholic Charities, Community and faith-based food pantries at the fraction of the cost that it would cost from the local grocery store or even Wal-Mart. A2H also sets high standards in food handling and provides assistance to ensure proper procedures are in place to track food that is distribute through the network. To ensure every donated item is safe to consume, it is thoroughly inspected and sometimes repackaged. The Food Bank also has a license to break down product received in bulk packages to fee more people, which most food pantries that give out boxes cannot do. A lot of time you see this bulk prouct donated through local food sources. <br><br> The National Food Bank Network was able to bring together more than 3 million pounds of food (roughly enough for 2.5 million meals by Saturday, Sept. 3rd for the survivors in Louiiana and neighboring states. The local Food Banks were able to collaborate with the local affiliates of the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and City governments to be the most efficient collection and distribution of food and grocery products. <br><br> Each Local Food Bank can collect local donations from food drives, retailers, wholesalers, farmers, and product secured from national donors by America?s Second Harvest. Mostly local donations that are collected are unsorted in bags or boxes. The Food Bank relies on community volunteers to inspect, sort, and case liked product that is easier to distribute or be used to feed more children and families. <br><br> If you have never seen a Food Bank in action, you should contact one near you and ask for a tour. NW Oklahoma is served by the Oklahoma City Food Bank. You can find the food bank nearest you by typing in you Zip Code at <a href="http://www.secondharvest.org" target="new">America?s Second Harvest ? The Nation?s Food Bank Network</a>. If you live to far away, ask them for a list of their partner soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters in your area who receive the food to get involved and see the difference it makes. <br><br> Michael Wagner, Son of an Okie<br> <a href="http://WTxFoodBank.org" target="new">West Texas Food Bank</a>

MWags - 2005-09-03 20:38:39

Please submit your own comments below.