Comments on: Alaska is #2 for Hunger in the United States.

By: strangelet

strangelet — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:58:00 +0000

@26 Alex, @37 tanstaafl:

I am not particularly impressed with the Daily Beast’s methodology, but i do appreciate their intent — to compare, state by state, the incidence of “food insecurity” with the incidence of folks under the Federal Poverty Level. Now, as it happens, the “food insecurity” percentage is fairly close to the average for most states — a quick look says that only six states are outside 12.2 +/- 3.0%.

So the final ranking is probably pretty sensitive to the under-FPL percentage.

So what? Ultimately, the USDA report says that 11.6% of AK households suffered “food insecurity” in 2006-2008. That’s one out of every nine households. Do you think that’s a good thing?

I’ll agree that AKM took a little sideways swipe at the Quitter, but the main thrust of her article was that the hunger issue should be a much bigger deal than many of the things to which we choose to devote our attention.

Do you object to that?

By: tanstaafl

tanstaafl — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:54:25 +0000

“Umm. I’m not slamming (Palin).”
-You’re kidding, right?
:
“If you click the link to The Daily Beast, you’ll see exactly how they came up with the numbers that they did”
-Umm, no…they give a very vague description of dividing one ranking by the square of another ranking. As another commenter posted, this is absurd methodology, and it is a sign of your ignorance or low standards that you link to the story.
:
“they also link back to the original report…”
-No, they don’t link to the USDA report; they link to another Daily Beast story (to get more ad views for themselves).
:
By the way…you can thank Obama for increasing monthly food stamp (SNAP) benefits as part of the stimulus package. For donations, I recommend Feeding America and the Salvation Army.

By: the problem child

the problem child — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:48:15 +0000

My grocery store has a rip-off coupon that you can have added to your groceries at the check out to help the food bank. $2 at a time makes a difference, and I sometimes rip off 5 at a time.

A good friend of mine relied on the food bank as a student. He writes a cheque to that same food bank every year at x-mas, now that he is a successful lawyer.

By: Kath the Scrappy

Kath the Scrappy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:41:43 +0000

Most of our large grocery stores have bins for Northwest Harvest. About a week ago I reorganized my pantry and was shocked at how many things were stuff I wouldn’t eat, like some types of soups & chili that my Sis had bought. Also many cans of chicken broth that I won’t get around to using (always stock up when on sale) which will be useful if they hand out turkey & stuffing mixes for Thanksgiving.

So last time I went shopping I just hauled the stuff along. Great way to clear out space, while helping at the same time.

By: leenie17

leenie17 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:32:19 +0000

One of the things that makes me so proud of Rochester, NY is its reputation for volunteerism and helping out those who need it. Right now our grocery stores (LOVE my Wegman’s!) have coupons at the checkouts for Foodlink in various denominations. Despite the tremendous economic hardships faced by many in our community with tens of thousands of layoffs by our three biggest employers over the past ten years, we still break records each year for donations.

My school is also collecting food for several of our students’ families who are struggling. I’ve known of too many children in our school whose only food during the week comes from our cafeteria.There’s something SO wrong about a child going hungry!

By: UgaVic

UgaVic — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:30:28 +0000

I can tell you after reading this and talking to hubby we will be buying one less thing for ourselves this holiday, with the monies going to a food bank!!

We will also be making adding a donation in the name of two young ladies here in our village who have graced us with their smiling faces this winter.
I agree it is a shame.

For too many years I lived in one of the riches counties in the US, just minutes from the US capital and still saw more hunger than you can believe.

It is everywhere and every little bit helps!!

Thanks for reminding us AKM!!

By: Alaska Pi

Alaska Pi — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:20:51 +0000

Our local Food Bank here in Juneau is reporting greater need this year.
So, to me it doesn’t matter where we end up on a list…
It matters that more neighbors are having a tougher time getting food on the table.
There are lots of drives and ways to donate here so it is easy to help out…
It’s the doing it part…

Really like the Costco partial case idea…!
Gonna borrow that idea!

By: anon blogger

anon blogger — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:57:01 +0000

Thanks for sharing that information, AKM. Back when the campaign was going on, I found a website that shared the Alaska 2008 budget with the governor’s modifications or deletions. The Fairbanks food bank budget was lashed by $25,000. The Special Olympics Center was slashed by $2M. And there was a teenage mother project, an appliance for a senior center, and everything for Homer deleted. Well, I might have missed one or two, but at the time I wondered who she hated in Homer. The State had the monies, so I thought it was strange the budget was slashed.

Anyway, it’s sad to think folks go hungry in the USA. Although I have been close myself a couple of times due to a disability. Thanks again, AKM, for the info!

By: Enjay in E.MT

Enjay in E.MT — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:48:10 +0000

I round up the checks I deduct in my check register, and round down my payroll deposit. Generally between Thanksgiving & Christmas I am able to write a check to the local food bank for $500-600. If I’m feeling broke – its only a few cents each check, if not, might be a couple dollars per check, but it adds up.

By: GreatGranny2C

GreatGranny2C — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:38:09 +0000

Regardless of what study one wants to follow, the bottom line is that THERE IS HUNGER in this country and it is shameful that it is happening. No matter where any state ranks in any list, it is inexcusable for any person to be in need of basic subsistance.

I hope more and more organizations will step up and start collecting money and/or goods to be donated to local foodbanks.
When one can get 3 cans of veggies for $1.00 at places like Save-A-Lot, it shouldn’t hurt most of us too badly, to pick up an extra 3 cans to donate. That $1.00 is less than we spend for a drink at most fast foods.