Say It Ain't So Already

Six Hours at a Food Bank — $35,000 With the President

September 30, 2011 at 7:35 PM Leave a comment

I spend time every week at my local food bank.  The goal there is to keep people off the street — to keep them from being homeless. The thinking is that if people get assistance with their food needs, they will be able to pay their rent and thus stay in their home.

The big topic of discussion today was that food banks all around the western United States are running out of food.  My particular bank used to let clients come through once a month.  Roughly two years ago they expanded that and let people come through once a week.  Now they’re thinking about going back to the once a month deal.

All the food we give out is based on family size.  For example, a “family” of one is entitled to roughly 30-40 pounds of food based on the once-a-week plan.  Turn that into a once-a-month plan and that person has to stretch that 30-40 pounds of food over four weeks.  A watermelon weighs what?  8 pounds. A turkey can weigh 24 pounds.

Imagine being dependent on the help of a food bank as the line between being having dependable shelter and living in your car.

With that in mind, I got home and saw this tweet:

If 60 people donated $35,800 to my food bank, that would add up to $2,148,000.

They send me to the store to buy ramen soup, but only if it’s selling for 10c or less.

How’s that for a perspective on our political system?

Entry filed under: 2012 Election, At the Food Bank, Corporatocracy, Dumbed Down, Fascist America, President Barack H. Obama and Co., Republicans, Including Wingers & "Moderates". Tags: .