It’s October, and the days are getting shorter and cooler. For most of us, the biggest problem we face is what Halloween costume to wear and if our winter clothes still fit. For others in our community, however, they are worried about putting food on the table — or having a roof over their heads.
Last month, I wrote about the burglary at the GaiaWorks food pantry that left Jan Deferbrache without food to give to the seniors who have come to rely on the crackers and tuna and macaroni she stocks — people who have found that their Social Security checks don’t cover the rising costs of rent, utilities, and medications like they used to. This summer, we were approached by Tim and Beth Barton of the Otterbein Neighborhood Association, who read about the Community Food Boxes springing up in Indianapolis. We were happy to donate a newspaper box to them to help them feed hungry people in the Otterbein neighborhood (full disclosure: I live a block from the Bartons in Otterbein). They have been taking money out of their own pocket to put food in the box, and others in the neighborhood have also contributed. There are usually a few items in the box — ramen noodles, bottled water, cans of tuna and crackers, a box of rice, an energy bar or two — which quickly vanish. Last week, they got a note from one of the recipients thanking them for their generosity, and telling them a little about themselves: homeless and far from friends and family, they are struggling to keep body and soul together, but that little box and its food gives them a meal — and most of all, hope. Tim called the office and read it to us . . . and there were some seriously leaky eyes around here for quite a while.
Last year, Indiana dropped over 18,000 residents from the food stamp benefit program due to changes in work and training requirements. Still others aren’t eligible for benefits but don’t make enough money to feed themselves after the bills are paid. The average SNAP benefit, as of June 2016 is $125.50 per person, or $254.73 per household (USDA Food and Nutrition Service summaries Sept. 2016), down from $133.07 per person and $274.98 per household in 2013. That’s not a lot of money (a little more than $30 per week per person) to fill an empty stomach three times a day. At the end of the month, many people turn to local food pantries, or go without. In the richest nation on Earth, children and seniors go hungry, or don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
Local food pantries have felt the strain of increased demand. Places of worship have opened food pantries: Downey Ave. ICAN, Old Bethel Community Outreach, Linwood Christian Church, Fellowship Baptist Church, to name just a few. Many food pantries get food from Gleaner’s Food Bank, which distributes goods through a big network. Second Helpings, located on the east side, also does a bang-up job rescuing food.
In this extremely negative election cycle, we’ve heard precious little about the hungry and homeless, and what can be done to help. And I believe that the negativity is getting to the American people, making us angry and frustrated about things we don’t seem to be able to fix. Maybe we need to start focusing on fixing our little patch, giving people some food in their bellies and hope in their hearts. Maybe we’ll begin to set aside our anger and frustration when we see that we can make a difference.
The three ladies (and a cat) who own and create the Weekly View believe this newspaper should not just provide news and entertainment to our many readers in the greater Indianapolis area — we should also use our pages to promote positive change. Therefore, we’re devoting all of October to stocking the GaiaWorks pantry and the community food box in Otterbein with our “Lincolns Campaign.” The idea is simple: If we hold back $5 (the bill with Lincoln on it, you know, “Honest Abe”) to buy canned and dry goods for local food needs, we can make a huge difference in the lives of the hungry in our neighborhoods. Five bucks a week might mean giving up a fast food meal, or a pint of microbrew, or a cup of fancy coffee for many of us. Now, take that Lincoln and, on your next grocery trip, buy nonperishable items to go to help the hungry. If you don’t have a Lincoln to spare, perhaps you have a Washington or two, which is great, and will help someone who doesn’t have two quarters to rub together. Donate that food to GaiaWorks pantry (at the Magic Candle on South Audubon at the corner of Bonna Ave.), or you can bring it to our office at 195 N. Shortridge Rd., Suite D during office hours (M-F) 9-5, and we will take it to the food box on Gladstone and to GaiaWorks for you. Or, drop it off at the food pantry where you worship, or your favorite Gleaners drop off, if you prefer. You don’t have to have the Benjamins — a few Washingtons will do just fine.
As an example, Paula had a $5 off coupon from a dollar store this past weekend, good when she spent $25 on a purchase. Being the Queen of Frugal, she went to the clearance “last chance” section and spied pork and beans, Vienna sausages, and other proteins at half off the already reduced price — nothing is past the expiration date, no dents or suspicious bulges — and used that $5 on food to be donated to the cause. Needless to say, she cleaned them out — AND got another $5 coupon to boot! If you are a super-couponer/shopper, you can make those Lincolns and Washingtons stretch for a good cause.
And the best part? We’ll be making our already great community even better.
Pantry Items Needed:
Proteins: Peanut butter, potted meats, pork and beans, tuna. Foods that can be eaten hot or cold would be preferred.
Canned vegetables (peel off tops —many people don’t have can openers)
Canned fruit (peel off tops)
Dried pasta
Jelly
Crackers (saltines or graham)
Small bags of nutritious snacks
Bottled water
Juice boxes
Rice and rice mixes
Granola bars/protein bars
Fruit snacks
