Several hours last night were spent at the San Francisco Food Bank, filling plastic bags with a pound of rice and stuffing them into boxes. I’ve volunteered there on various occasions, and it always blows me away when I read their website regarding hunger in San Francisco. We’re all fully aware that there are starving people in other countries, but not many realize just how many people within our own city do not have enough to eat.
Basically taking this all from their website:
There are nearly 150,000 San Franciscans at risk of going hungry. Hunger touches people of every age, race, ethnic group and neighborhood. In some families, hunger occurs when a sudden emergency or crisis hits, but for most low-income San Franciscans, hunger has become a long-term condition of poverty.
Among the vast majority of hungry people who live in San Francisco, hunger is a hidden problem. It strikes individuals and families with children, as well as the elderly poor. Many of the people who need food assistance have full- or part-time jobs. But in a city where housing costs are among the highest in the nation, a full-time job does not guarantee that a family will be able to make ends meet. Low-income people are constantly making difficult choices among food, health care and rent; food is often the first thing to go.
The effects of hunger on our community are pervasive and far-reaching. One in four children in San Francisco is at risk of going hungry, which seriously hampers their ability to learn and grow. Among the elderly and disabled, hunger can exacerbate both long- and short-term health problems and make it difficult to recover from minor setbacks. Finally, for most adults, having access to food and good nutrition is the first crucial step in learning new skills, launching a job search or kicking an addiction.
Support from the community is vital to the health of San Francisco’s poorest residents, particularly in a time when the federal government has reduced its commitment to meeting the basic needs of its citizens. We ask that each and every resident of San Francisco take action in the fight to end hunger by volunteering at a food bank or food service agency, starting a food program at a congregation or community organization, making a personal or corporate contribution, or learning more about the causes and effects of hunger.
Unfortunately hunger exists in every community. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture it is estimated that more than 5 million people do not always have enough food in California. Nationally more than 38 million people are food insecure — or 12% of our population. Hunger is a serious problem that affects all of us.
Just a few hours to make such a big difference. *sigh*
I need to take better care of myself. There is no point in going to the masseuse or acupuncturist to feel better if I’m not making efforts on my end.
