Guardian UK: The queues for free bread are getting longer (Roanoke, VA)

[marmar]

The queues for free bread are getting longer
The last year has seen a lot of new faces dropping in to the Presbyterian community centre in south-east Roanoke

Gary Younge in Roanoke
guardian.co.uk, Friday October 10 2008 13.25 BST



There are many ways to pick up your free bread at the Presbyterian community centre in south-east Roanoke. A few just come in, pick up a couple of loaves and go. Others take their time, chat with the staff and catch up with other regulars. And some like to linger over the selection, prodding each loaf and asking fellow visitors their opinions on the relative benefits of the fare on offer as though they were in a local patisserie.

Cherie Becker, 42, is one the latter. She says she only comes a little more than once a year. This time it's because she's moving from Richmond back down to Roanoke and has yet to find work roofing, painting and carpentry.

"I came back because my daughter's had a baby and I want to be near her," she explains.

She thinks she'll find work without a problem. But then she's not aware of the financial meltdown.

"Did a whole bunch of people lose their jobs or something," she asks.
I shrug. "I saw something on the news about there being a big problem with work and the economy."

I ask if she means the stock market crash or the unemployment figures. She shrugs. And goes back to finding the perfect loaf. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/10/virginia-uselections2008

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. They will get even longer I fear