Not Enough Food to Feed the Hungry

On Monday volunteers stocked the shelves to prepare for the 350 families that will use the pantry throughout the week

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By Heather Hintze
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Story Created: Jun 11, 2012 at 7:23 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 12, 2012 at 9:49 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Feeding America’s 2010 “Map the Meal Gap” report shows more than 104,000 Alaskans are struggling to get enough food. That’s up 14,000 from 2009.

A few years ago that would have included Rich Jackson and his four boys.

“It was frustrating because I was working 16 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week and I still wasn't making enough. It was hard. I still get choked up when I think about it because I had to feed my children,” said Jackson.

He now volunteers for the New Hope mobile food pantry.

“This place is great. They're here to help. If ever I have a chance to give back, I try to,” said Jackson.

On Monday volunteers stocked the shelves to prepare for the 350 families that will use the pantry throughout the week.

“It makes us feel like we're doing a small part in helping take care of our neighbors in our city. Helping provide nutritional meals for kids, knowing that's a big part for them in their educational pursuits as well as just being healthy,” said New Hope Executive Director, Brian Schaffer.

About 60 percent of New Hope’s food comes from the Alaska Food Bank. Last year that amounted to more than 200,000 pounds.

New Hope is just one of 300 agencies across the state to receive part of the 6.7 million pounds of goods the Food Bank distributed last year, but staff say it’s still not enough.

“We know since the economic recession we've been struggling to not fall farther and farther behind. What these numbers tell us is the need is provably getting worse and more people need assistance,” said Susannah Morgan, Executive Director for the Food Bank of Alaska.

To keep up with demand the Food Bank would need to send out about 13 million pounds of food every year. But staff say food keeps going out the door faster than it’s coming in.

Click here for the full report.
 

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Kate said on Monday, Jun 11 at 7:56 PM

Lets give out seeds to grow a garden & teach gardening....square foot gardening or growing sprouts indoor is great nourishment. Just a little seed, dirt, water and love can supply you with fresh greens!

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Slick said on Tuesday, Jun 12 at 8:29 AM

Just curious: Are Alaska's families having more children than they can afford to feed? Since the beginning of human habitation of Alaska, hunger has been a problem. It does seem that we should have come up with an answer to the question of hunger some time over the past 12,000 years. I think it is great people are willing and able to help; at some point we need to ask why the blight of hunger is still with us.

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Old Timer said on Tuesday, Jun 12 at 11:57 AM

@Slick, I would say that,yes, Alaskan families are having more kids then they can feed. Go stand in the grocery line behind these people with 4 or 5 kids feeding them off WIC and food stamps. The worst part is they are still pumping them out and expecting the rest of us to feed, clothe and take care of all their medical needs. This sense of entitlement needs to end. Kate, great idea but most of them are to lazy, we have always fed our family off the land, easy enough to do if you are willing to work at it.

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Just Saying said on Wednesday, Jun 13 at 3:10 PM

Not everyone is lazy or having more kids than they can feed. Some of us have to choose whether to feed our children or pay for the roof over their heads. So my question to you is which would you choose? Shelter or Food?! Times are tough on everyone, and as a community we need to work together and stop being so judgemental.

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Sure said on Wednesday, Jun 13 at 3:50 PM

Sure Just saying, how about stop voting for the liberal mantra and free handouts and helping get the country back working. I can affrod to be judgemental, I'm the one paying for your handout.

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Wow said on Wednesday, Jul 18 at 10:54 PM

When did America become such a heartless mercenary Country? When did we start spewing Jesus on our lips while condemming the poor for being poor. You folks scream to shut down Planned Parenthood as though people will then stop having sex. You shut down schools and throw teachers out of the classrooms leaving our children to the wolves. All it takes is one illness or injury to leave all of you treading water financially but until it happens to you, you won't understand and cling to your "stuff" while letting others drown. How sad.

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