[PSA] food and hunger
22I will refuse the political discussion here and take it elsewhere if I feel I have to. But I will say that a lot more people can’t afford the holidays this year for multiple reasons. Many of them cannot afford basic necessities including food Etc. Consider a donation to your local food bank. Hours actually even has an Amazon wish list, you can go on Amazon and have it drop shipped there. If you can’t afford to donate food maybe you can afford to donate some time. Think about it
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Strongly second that! Our local food bank sent out a special plea for support. If nothing changes in the next few days, there will be no money to pay SNAP benefits on Nov 1. Local food banks are trying to prepare so kids won’t go hungry, but they need help. If you don’t know what food banks operate in your area, you can find them here: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
Very well said, I’m gonna look on donating my time.
Fortunately some states are continuing SNAP despite the federal government’s actions. 25 more states are suing over cutting off SNAP. Unfortunately my state is doing neither. Why I am I not surprised? This state is the armpit of the nation where they’d rather have the poor die than help them because if you are poor you are a lazy, no good bum ripping off the government and deserve nothing. Never mind that most SNAP recipients work (in this state there is a work requirement but many states don’t have one so no job no food not health care - the state did not expand that and it also has a work requirement) or are elderly. Sigh.
I do volunteer at a foodbank on Weds and I got called today (Tues) to see if I could find more boxes as apparently Sams Club and Costco donated a ton more food than they usually do due to the SNAP cut off that happens Nov 1.
@Kidsandliz good for Sam’s and costco. I would never expect Sam’s to donate s***
@Cerridwyn Sam’s donate around 6-9 tons of fresh food a week (the high was 11 tons once - no idea what it will be today - we have to weigh the food as we take it off the truck). I got a call yesterday, since I supply most of their boxes via various stores - especially via petsmart and petco - that they needed more boxes as they have a record amount of food for today (so they stepped up for the stuff delivered yesterday afternoon - that truck I don’t unload, we only unload 2 truck today plus pack boxes and hand them out later today). No idea how much costco will send as that truck arrives this morning (as does one more Sams Club truck)
Some of the fresh stuff has seen better days (strawberries, blackberries and raspberries usually have maybe 1-2 days left to be eaten) but most lasts at least 2-3 days (or longer if you freeze it). Sams donates at least 3-5 times as much as Costco does.
I don’t even want to think about how long the line of cars and the walk up line will be today. I don’t think we will get out of there any time soon today (usually we get out of there by 1pm - It’s almost 7am now and I need to walk out the door shortly). At least it isn’t going to be a billion plus degrees as we put the boxes outside on 50 or so pallets.
@Cerridwyn I’m not the biggest fan of Walmart for many reasons, but they contribute more food to food banks than any other company, by a wide margin.
https://www.delish.com/food/a68850934/grocery-chains-top-food-donations/
@rockblossom thank you I was not aware that it was that significant. Maybe it’s a tax deduction. When it comes to Sam Walton I figure there was nothing altruistic involved
@Cerridwyn @rockblossom
Tax deduction or no, the results are the same. I’m sure equivalent tax benefits would be available to Costco, Target, Whole Foods etc.
Hopefully this shitshow in Washington will get sorted out and SNAP benefits will renew soon.
@chienfou @rockblossom and all the government employees get paid. Dual whammy on things like food banks
@Cerridwyn
/giphy amen
Careful, Icarus.
Mini Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops are actually working to collect food for local food banks this time of the year as well. In some parts of the country it’s these drives have already happened, and other parts they’re happening right now. Not a huge supporter of Boy Scouts especially but for some people it might make things easier
If you don’t know how or where or what to donate and you’re in the US, please call 211. It’s a free referral hotline open 24/7 that can point you in the right direction. Also can give you referrals if you need assistance (with any health and human service, not just food). PM me if you want more info. best wishes