One in Four California Families Can't Afford Food for Their Kids

[marmar]

from New America Media:




SAN FRANCISCO -- One in four California households with children reported food hardship, according to a new analysis of Gallup data released last Thursday by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

“It’s disturbing, but not surprising,” said Kelly Hardy, director of health policy at Children Now.

The report analyzed data gathered as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index project’s responses to the question: “Have there been times in the past 12 months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed?”

“It sends a clear signal of economic distress, particularly for families with children,” noted James Weill, president of FRAC. “The answers to the question reveal there are times that these families are going without eating a meal, or the parents are skipping a meal for their children, or children are skipping meals.” ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://newamericamedia.org/2011/08/one-in-four-california-families-cant-afford-food-for-their-kids.php

[gateley]

1. I'm guessing it's one in four families that we KNOW ABOUT. nt

[cutlassmama]

2. this is beyond sad.

[AsahinaKimi]

3. In San Francisco

I have seen lines of people, waiting to get free food items from the food pantries. This is not once a week but everyday. Most of the pantries are finding it difficult to keep up. There was also a program like Meals on Wheels, that would drop off free food items to people below the poverty level. The food was delivered twice a month by Jewish Family and Children's Services. (A wonderful group!)

I know this for a fact, because a few years ago, I was on their list, and they helped me get by when I was refused Food stamps. The moment I got a new job, I donated 800 dollars to them within the first month and of course told them I no longer needed that service. They were very kind to me!

[marmar]

5. "I donated 800 dollars to them within the first month"

That was pretty awesome of you. :yourock:

[AsahinaKimi]

9. I also donated that much

To Japan Relief, but not all in one shot. It takes time to save up that kinda money..so I would do it like 200 dollars at a time.


The 800 came from a bonus I gotten from my company that I work for...so
I wanted them to know I appreciated what they did for me..

[PoliticAverse]

8. +1 n/t

[udbcrzy2]

10. My mom used to get Meals on Wheels but they charged for it n/t

[Firebrand Gary]

4. Surprised that GOP has not recommended we send these families to the horn of Africa.

[tblue]

6. I could cry.

:cry:

[leeroysphitz]

7. They can't put food on their families? n/t

[jannyk]

11. With 'official' unemployment at 12.2% (and U6 well over 20%)

it's hardly surprising.

:scared:

[Starry Messenger]

12. The food banks are desperate too here.

Story on the front of the Chron today about this.

[indepat]

13. It's so comforting the uber-wealthy got their tax cuts before the slashing of funds for social

services cynically begins with oozing depravity and in dead earnest. :patriot: