Campaign to end Hunger
According to the U.S. Census's new American Community Survey, released in late August 2006, the poverty rate for our region has risen again. People that have lost ground include senior citizens and those in the 18-64 age range - the wage-earners who are trying to take care of their families.
This isn't news at the Food Bank. The government is just confirming what we see every day: hard-working people coming up short at the end of the month. The connection between poverty and hunger is obvious. When utilities must be paid to keep them on, it's the grocery budget that gets cut back.
The trouble is, hunger is invisible. When asked if hunger was a serious problem in our community, only one in five people said it was. In southwestern Pennsylvania, more than 285,000 people live below the federal poverty level - only $20,000 for a family of four! The Food Bank serves approximately 120,000, of whom 37,000 are children. Clearly, as much as we are able to help, it is not enough.
In January of 2006, on the "eve" of our 25th Anniversary in June, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank began a "Campaign to End Hunger," a comprehensive drive to increase awareness of the problem of hunger in our community. We are continuing this campaign this year as well.
Because we know what ending hunger will do. Our children will develop properly, including their ability to learn and avoid obesity. Our seniors will stay healthier for more years. Our working parents will be able to make a better life for their families. The savings in healthcare costs alone will be staggering.
The Campaign to End Hunger calls upon you to get involved. We need your financial support to buy food and everything necessary to collect, pack and distribute that food (We have felt the sting of high gas prices too!). We need your volunteer hours to keep the Food Bank going, so that more money can go to product and services. We need you to write your government officials and your local newspapers. We need the food you bring to food drives. We need you to spread the word to your civic groups, congregations, friends and co-workers - that hunger exists, probably right in your neighborhood, and without their help it will get worse.
Doesn't every person deserve to have enough food? Won't you help us win "The Campaign to End Hunger"? One person CAN make a difference!
The Food Bank is indebted to our partners who support The Campaign to End Hunger: UPMC Health Plan, WTAE-TV4, H. J. Heinz Company Foundation, and GBL, Inc.
