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Food Pantries Feel The Squeeze

[from the Indianapolis Star...]



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In these hard times, Aimee Ector knows where to go for a bargain on everything from chips to barbecue sauce: the Allisonville Road Big Lots store she passes on her way home from work.

They have pretty good deals most of the time," Ector said.

What the Eastside resident may not know is that some of the food now available in deep-discount stores such as Big Lots and Dollar General was once given to the poor by local food banks.

A few years ago, full-service grocery stores and food manufacturers routinely donated food in dented cans or damaged packages to charity, but that steady stream of donations has slowed to a trickle. The grocers and manufacturers that used to take advantage of tax breaks by donating surplus food now can make a profit by selling it to a relatively new type of business known as "banana box" brokers.

They, in turn, sell the products to deep discounters.

As a result, bargain hunters now can buy some products at low prices, but the amount of free food available to the poor has declined, even as their numbers are on the rise.

"For people who have...

[continued at IndyStar.com]

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IndyChristian Ed. Note... See the FOOD needs & solutions wiki-page we're compiling here in the metro area, to help provide collaborative information for churches, ministries and individuals who care about these needs.

Also... Did you notice above how VIDEO adds value to the story? As we approach 'Faith Hope & Love Week' here in Indy (July 20-26), we're putting together a 'Communications Team' for that week to help tell the story, encourage the volunteers and help discover yet more ways we can help meet community needs in the name of Christ.

Example: One project we'll be doing is compiling a video for a particular Food Pantry in the inner-city that needs our help. Moreover, we're helping train neighbors to shoot video, edit it effectively, upload it to the internet, and get it seen near & far. And in the long run, it not only will help the food pantry, but also help build skills, hope and urban/suburban relationships.

Consider joining the Communications Team if you have a digital camera or camcorder... or a blog, a podcast, a Facebook/MySpace/YouTube page from which to help get the story told. In fact, we're doing special VIDEO training for anyone who would like to learn and be part of the team. See the link above for details.

posted by IndyChristian @ 8:25 AM