COMMUNITY VOICES: A community plan to fight hunger

It?s the post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas month. The time for giving. And shopping. And eating. And stressing. And seeing your family. Did I mention giving? According to Giving USA, last year, Americans donated more than $295 billion to 1.4 million public charities, religious groups, and other nonprofits. Of this money, Bloomberg magazine writes that 50 percent of donations are made between Thanksgiving and New Year?s Day.

And let?s not forget non-monetary donations. The spirit of giving rightfully asks (and hopefully inspires) us to contribute with our time (at shelters, soup kitchens) as well as with our love (a little extra patience and compassion) and, often, our money (for food, coats, and warm hats). For workers in the nonprofit, social justice and social service sector of America, this support is indispensable.

I myself had the privilege of dispersing over 90 turkeys to local churches and agencies with my supervisor, after a turkey giveaway ended with plenty of leftover birds. For those of us who are food secure, that?s a delicious Thanksgiving. But for the many people who remain hungry and food insecure, this was far more precious.

Beyond the Thanksgiving ritual was the food itself and the opportunity to eat. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where the idea of a meal (wholesome food, family, sitting at a table, etc.) has devolved in so many ways. How many of us are eating a granola bar for lunch in front of our computer?

Thanksgiving and religiously affiliated meals (whether it?s Christmas, a Sabbath dinner, or breaking the fast for Ramadan) remind us about the importance of food.
Particularly during this month, we go the extra mile to ensure that other families have the same right to a meal. My point is that while the beautiful tradition of a ritualized meal should retain its sacredness, we shouldn?t allow the spirit of giving thanks and giving back to stop here.
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So let us continue the tradition of feeding the hungry on Thanksgiving and Christmas. And let us continue to feed the hungry the other 363 days of the year. How can you do this? What can you donate? Fortunately, Fall River has its own coalition to address the hunger needs of the city.

Fall River Food Security Network is a partnership between nonprofit agencies, soup kitchens and food banks to increase the cooperation and efficiency of food supplying agencies in Fall River. So far, the Food Security Network has fostered the creation of Plentiful Plates, a program for local restaurants and bakeries to donate their leftover food to soup kitchens.

The Food Security Network is also looking to raise the food supply in Fall River through donation drives. Here is an idea of the foods most needed and that are the most nutritious and needed. Many food banks prefer donations of nutritious foods that are shelf-stable and not fresh or frozen.

Canned or dried fruits and vegetables, tomatoes, pasta sauce, juices, juice boxes and shelf-stable fruit cups are commonly needed. Sources of lean protein include canned or dried beans, canned meats such as chicken, salmon or tuna, peanut butter, and nuts. Good whole grain food items are dried pasta, whole grain crackers, oatmeal, cereals and brown rice.

Other useful foods are evaporated, dry or shelf-stable milk, canned stew, canned or boxed soups, and baby food. If you would like to obtain more information about the Network, donate food to our cause, or attend the next meeting, please contact Elizabeth Malkin at emalkin@unitedneighborsoffallriver.org.
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Elizabeth Malkin is The Life Together Intern at United Neighbors of Fall River and Greater Fall River Partners for a Healthier Community.
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Source: http://www.heraldnews.com/opinions/x1922373116/COMMUNITY-VOICES-A-community-plan-to-fight-hunger

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