RECORD 41.8 MILLION PEOPLE ON FOOD STAMPS 9-15-2010

As I was cruising the internet, I stumbled upon this video about the rates of Food Stamps. Here in the United States, we have reached an all time high of Food Stamp users at 41.8 million people. That means that for ever seven people in the United States, at least one person is provided food from the government. Before Food Stamps was a program designed for people who did not have jobs and needed help with the basic necessities of life. But now, many have jobs and are also using Food Stamps to supplement their income. The reason for all this? The current economic recession. People who at one time were not eligible for Food Stamps now are and to the pool of our economic crisis.

Although most people on Food Stamps are in desperate need for the service, I just can't think that a lot of people are just abusing the privilege. I will admit to considering applying for Food Stamps last year as I am a broke college student with bills to pay. But I rejected my consideration due to the fact that others who are more needy then myself need the program more so. I mean why wouldn't you go on Food Stamps...It's Free! Are we to say that moral judgement is supposed to hold our standards as to what is right or wrong? No way! We like in a modern Capitalist society who loves oil, football, and hunting. Or are we?

Watch this video on Food Stamps and I ask you to consider at what point do we feel that we need to be supplemented food by the government? If you lost your job would you apply? What about losing a girlfriend of boyfriend? What constitutes this idea that at one point you must become even more reliable on the government to later bound your feet to the shackles of Uncle Sam's lair!

More Than A Meal

Meals on Wheels client Patricia Snell, 69, gives driver Jessica Perez of Stockton a grateful hug while receiving her meals at her home in Stockton on Thursday morning.

Ever work at a food bank before? What about distribute food to the needy? Jessica Perez and the San Joaquin County's Department of Aging have helped distribute food to 450 senior citizens each week. Like the Food for People program I had discussed in an earlier post, Perez and the Department of Aging have helped many through their Meals on Wheels program. But to Perez, giving food to the needy is more than just the transaction of food for appreciation. Jessica takes care of the elderly with routine well being check ups. "They monitor the clients and their homes. If the heat is off, for example, they make sure someone gets it turned on. Other days, they simply engage in a friendly visit, or, when delivering to Snell, enjoy a warm hug," said Jessica Perez. The Meals on Wheels program has noticed an alarming increase in the number of senior citizens in dire need of food. Terence West, one of the community providers, explains that social security checks stay at the same rate as inflation increases which makes the cost of living more difficult for citizens who might not be able to work. "He saw the lunch group grow from nine or 10 to an average of 17 and as many as 30 on some days." The San Joaquin County's Department of Aging wants to serve more seniors but fall short simply due to funding. "We're meeting the needs of as many as we can reach with our funding," Parrish said. "If we had more money, we could do much more, which I'm sure every county will tell you. Funding is a fact of life."

It is unfortunate to note that our capitalist society, let alone one of the most powerful countries in the world, simply cannot provide food for all of its citizens. Especially our elders, who we should respect and provide as many services as possible. I understand that the world runs on money but aren't there more important things in life? Am I crazy to say that personal well being holds a greater value than those that are of monetary value? What is the true cost of happiness and what values are we to give up to find this happiness? I think that through community involvement and a localized approach to funding we can find solutions from left to right. It is easy to find problems in the world, just go to any news station website of program. But it's those small gems that we find in life that truly explain the meaning of happiness.

For Jessica Perez and the San Joaquin County's Department of Aging, happiness and community involvement have been found. We need to take practices like these and reestablish them into our own localized communities. We can't assume that one food program is best for all. Which is why community involvement is so key. With a wide array of ideas and voices, each community can alter food programs to suit their own special needs. No one deserves to go hungry in the United States, or anywhere in the world. Let's do what we can at a localized level to help the people we love.

Food for People

Humboldt county in Northern California has developed a program that helps people who are at risk of hunger and food insecurity. Their goal is to “provide individuals and households with the emergency and supplemental food they need, while working to address the root causes of hunger in our county”. Food for People is the local food bank having events every Wednesday and Friday providing food for 1000 families each month. This organization also has an Emergency Food Pantry Network with 17 pantries, 3 congregate meal programs feeding another 9,000 to 10,000 people each month. Along with the exceptional meal programs this association offers, low income seniors over the age of 60 receive bags of groceries serving about 600 seniors a month. For citizens who are disabled or ill, Food for People deliver groceries to them and are 100% powered by donations from the community. This locally driven program shows the true potential of community based organizations. Low income citizens far and wide now have a source of food, one of the most basic and necessary components of life.

Along with provisions of food for the needy, Food for People also provides education and outreach programs designed to help low income households make smart choices for adequate nutrition. Recipes, cooking classes, nutrition seminars and kitchen parties all help Food for People and the surrounding community relate and learn about nutrition together. Such community based programs help the people in so many different ways. Physically buy having a meal and filling their stomachs, emotionally from not having to worry about another night not eating, and socially by creating a healthy community with people who love each other.

Food, along with water, is something that everyone has a right to enjoy. Community outreach programs like Food for People help the community stay healthy and stay together. When areas have tightly wound programs and groups, people are more resilient to change and negative scenarios aren’t as bad as they would be without these programs. Personally, I feel like we need localized food banks in every continent, country, state, county, town, community and neighborhood. Whether this bank is in the form of outreach programs like Food for People, or simply a free meal from a friend or business each week, programs like these need to be implemented to help enrich the lives of the wealthy, and the needy.

If you would like to become a part of Food for People or help by donating, you can do so by calling direct at (707) 445-3166 or online at http://www.foodforpeople.org/Donate.html

Seattle's Diverse 98118

This last April, the United States Census Bureau declared Seattle's Columbia City district, 98118, to be the most diverse zip code in the nation. Within the 6 square miles this zip code holds approximately 60 different languages spoken from all around the world. Ahmed Scego, from the U.S. Census Bureau recalls hearing 15 different languages in a cafe' in this diverse neighborhood. 10 years ago the Census Bureau counted 40,000 residents in the given area. Today, that number has tripled to 60,000 residents, taking the prestigious throne to being the fastest growing neighborhood in the city of Seattle. Along with this rich diversity of culture comes a mouth watering delicious diversity of foods. From the Mawadda Cafe', an Iraqi run restaurant who caters to the "vegetarian, yoga, green living crowd", to the carnivorous feasts found at Roy's BBQ, the hungry eater is destined to find a delicious, nutritious, and eclectic meal in this varied collection of citizens. Such a variety of citizens holds a variety in religious beliefs, but this doesn't create a hostile environment between locals. If anything, the religious differences compliment each other, not complicate. The idea of togetherness and community truly resides with the people of 98118.

“The Rainier Valley area has the best selection of foods, music, and culture I think you can find in any neighborhood. It’s got a level of tolerance for difference that I’ve not seen anywhere else in the city or anywhere else I’ve lived,” said Jeffrey Taylor of State Farm Insurance in Columbia City

If you are not in the mood to eat out in restaurants serving an intense mix of worldly foods, maybe local markets that help with couch potato syndrome is your cup of tea. The Rainier Valley area is home to dozens of small "Ma n' Pa", shops from all corners of the globe including the Viet Wah market, the Abbul Gafoor Halal market, and the infamous Columbia City farmer's market home to 40 different local vendors with food, clothing, goods and services.

The Rainier Valley region of the United States has attracted thousands of people from all over the world. Each individual brings his or her own touch and perspective from their given culture bringing food, music and tradition to Seattle. 98118 can be an example for so many different troublesome social scenarios we face today. Issues like the "monoculture" of different peoples from a wide mix of people in the United States, also known as the "melting pot". So often we see Chinese, Mexicans and Italians who have never eaten authentic food from their own heritage. This area of south Seattle has proven that citizens from across our globe can move to the states for a better life without the pressures of "Americanization".

I encourage people from afar and in our own neighborhood to go back to your given heritage and cook a traditional meal, or perform a traditional ritual. Anything that incorporates the idea of togetherness with yourself and your people. By doing so, you can appreciate where and what you come from. A little history lessen you could call it, if its been a while. And if this isn't a possibility, maybe you can go out to eat in south Seattle's Columbia City and find your heritage and traditions on the corner of a busy intersection, or maybe in a local market. Wherever your history comes from, you can almost guarantee to find it in 98118.