Hunger Knows No Holiday

By Tonni von Schaumburg

The United States Census Bureau recently released poverty statistics showing that an unbelievable 43.6 million people in America live below the poverty line, the greatest number since the bureau began publishing reports. More children fell into poverty as well, 20.7 percent—the highest number since 1995. As of August 2010, the national unemployment rate was 9.6% or 14.9 million persons.

These statistics are alarming. You may be reading this and thinking, “What can I do to help?” There are rescue missions and food banks located throughout the area that are seeking donations and volunteers throughout the year. You can make difference by donating food, supermarket gift cards, or cash to one of the many food banks; by organizing a food drive in your community; or perhaps by volunteering to serve meals to the homeless at a local shelter or rescue mission.

One of the largest area food banks, The Center for Food Action (CFA), headquartered in Englewood, New Jersey, distributed nearly 50,000 seven-day emergency food packages in 2009, and increased the number of times a client can come for help from 6 to 9 times a year. CFA reported that 14% of all people who came for food had never been there before; 9% were recently unemployed; 38% of all recipients were children under the age of 18 years; and 13% were seniors over the age of 60. In addition to providing food, CFA also provides rent, security, heating and utility assistance. The organization, with four locations, assists residents of Bergen, Passaic and Morris counties as well as residents of New York State.

Patricia Espy, who has served as CFA’s executive director for the past 23 years, said 2010 has been the most difficult.

“We are seeing more people in need arriving at our door. Unfortunately, donations have not kept pace with the demand,” she said. “Many times during the the year, our shelves have been nearly bare. Here at CFA, we’ve witnessed a 40% increase in the number of local residents needing food and help to keep a roof over their heads and their heat and lights on.”

With demand increasing, food banks and food pantries are continually seeking the following staples to keep their shelves stocked: canned meats (such tuna and chicken), canned hearty soups, canned vegetables, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, dry milk, cereal, canned fruit, instant potatoes, 100% juice, baby formula, diapers, bar soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes and supermarket gifts cards. Many communities and congregations support food banks. You can also find a listing of food banks and food pantries on websites such as www.feedingamerica.org.

Assistance provided by area rescue missions is on the increase as well. Two of the oldest and most well respected rescue missions are located right in our backyard: The New York City Rescue Mission and Market Street Mission in Morristown, New Jersey. Both organizations rely on individual volunteers and donations to keep their doors open.

The New York City Rescue Mission is America’s first rescue mission founded in 1872 to provide spiritual hope, food, clothing and shelter to people in crisis in New York City. Through June of 2010, the New York City Rescue Mission served 81,762 meals. The Market Street Mission was founded in 1889 to serve the poor and needy of Morris County. The Mission assists individuals in overcoming homelessness, addictions, and disabilities through a life centered in Christ. According to the Market Street Mission website, www.marketstreet.org, in the past year the Mission has served 88,067 meals to the homeless and underprivileged.

You can make a difference. Donate goods in kind to the rescue missions. They are always in need of new men’s socks and underwear, personal care items such as deodorant, shampoo, razors, bars of soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste as well as basic food pantry items such as canned food, coffee, tea and other non-perishable items. For a list of current needs or to donate visit the New City Rescue Mission website at www.nycrescue.org or the Market Street Mission website at www.marketstreet.org.

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season; let’s not forget those in our community who are truly in need. Whether you make a donation of food, goods or cash or volunteer a few hours of your time each month, you are making a difference in the life of someone who is less fortunate than you. We can all be advocates for the hungry and the homeless by speaking out at our churches and at community functions and by reading and learning as much as we can about the problem of hunger and homelessness in America. After all, hunger knows no holiday; it is an everyday reality for millions of Americans.