Give good food for a good Thanksgiving
People are hungry. Those in need have taken a two-punch combo to the chin in recent years. First the pandemic, with its lockdowns and joblessness and supply chain shocks, and now inflation. People who have should share with those who don’t.
Over 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, are food insecure, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture. That number of families struggling to put food on the table will only grow as inflation continues. The USDA estimates that food prices will rise around 10% in 2022, with staples like milk and chicken and eggs seeing the largest leaps.
Area food ministries and pantries report skyrocketing need. The East End Cooperative Ministry in East Liberty served 1,500 at its annual Thanksgiving lunch, up from 900 last year. The Rainbow Kitchen in Homestead is seeing the highest demand in more than 20 years. In September, the Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh, which distributes food in 11 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania, reported that nearly 2,000 people were using their services, up from only 300 in August 2021.
Some people have to choose between rent and food and gas. Evictions have spiked as well, with the expiration of pandemic-era programs that provided rent support and limited landlord rights.
Give as you can to area organizations, like the ones we just mentioned and others, like church or town food banks. If you give food, call ahead to find out what the organization needs most, and is able to accept. Some places are looking for fresh produce and even refrigerated goods, but others aren’t. Being charitable includes being thoughtful.
If you can, go beyond the basics when buying foods to give away. The best and heartiest canned soups. Hams with decadent glazes. Spices that can turn canned fish and meats into real treats. And don’t forget something sweet for the children.
Every organization needs money. They can use it the most efficiently. Cash donations also help them cover all the expenses (rent, heat, light) of providing food. Some need volunteers as well.
Americans gave at record levels in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic caused such economic damage. Inflation is causing similar levels of economic instability. Families who are able should help those with less.