October 17, 2008

The Face of Hunger Revisited

A few days ago (see October 12 entry – The Real Face of Hunger) we wrote about the very real problems of hunger facing many people in this country today. Newspapers, magazines…all types of media have reported on the crisis that has erupted since the economic meltdown began earlier this year. We even shared (in the above-noted piece) our own experiences as we hear directly from both individuals who are personally affected and from programs throughout the country that are hard-pressed to provide what is needed in their own communities.

Because of the current situation, the email we received this morning from our friend Syd Mandelbaum of Rock and Wrap It Up! (http://www.rockandwrapitup.org/) takes on particular significance. Syd’s newsletter shared word of several of his organization’s new programs – each designed to address hunger and poverty in creative and meaningful ways. Originally started to retrieve leftovers from performance venues, Syd’s most recent success has been the Federal Food Donation Act of 2008 which requires all federal buildings that serve food to retrieve leftover food from its premises and get it to local agencies that will use it to feed hungry people that they serve. 32 federal buildings in Washington, DC will be actively involved in the inception of this program by working closely with 204 local agencies that will benefit from the leftovers. Syd has also made contact with New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and five of its hospitals will share leftover meals with local shelters.

We cannot help but think that creative programs such as Syd’s have taken on even greater importance today as we face the difficulties of an economic slowdown. We know that this country produces enough food to feed its citizens – the solution has always been to get it to where it is needed. We believe that Rock and Wrap It Up! is a very important piece of the solution. Take a look at their website to learn more.