April Food Day

The very lovely Meg of Pigtown Design (a great blog, BTW) is one of the bloggers behind April Food Day. Inspired by Meg, I am writing to ask you personally if you would please make a donation to your local food bank today.

As you may know, I work at a church, and I can tell you without a doubt that the number of people who approach us for help has increased in the last six months -- even though Houston's economy isn't in such terrible shape as other cities'. At work, we always direct people in need of help to the nearest food pantry, so I know that those organizations are seeing an increase in traffic right now. Meg writes:

Do you know that...

• One in eight Americans are at risk for hunger?
• Four million Americans receive assistance from Feeding America each week?
• Children who are hungry have slower emotional, social and educational development?
• Millions of elderly Americans go to bed hungry every night?

It is so critical that those of us who are not in this position help those who are. So many people who never thought they would need food assistance are now asking for help from their local food bank. They have lost their jobs through the massive down-sizings and layoffs. They have exhausted all of their resources. Elderly people on fixed incomes are finding that costs are out-pacing their incomes.

First-time requests at food banks are at an all-time high, but the shelves are bare. Corporations and foundations have decreased their donations and individuals are so uncertain about their own finances, that their giving has slowed.

We are asking that you make a donation, even if it's just a dollar or two. It will help someone who may be less fortunate than you are.

Here's the link to Feeding America, an affiliation of more than 200 food banks across the country. Chances are that your local food bank is a part of this network.

We're all in this together, and that's the way we will come through it... together.

Please help today. The need is great and the time is now.

Thank you so very much.