Wife volunteers regularly; I do it when I am able, but food banks are already feeling the pain from the fed shutdown and it will get get worse in November as federal dollars disappear. So....volunteering, donating. Federal workers without paychecks are adding to the fray. Minnesota food banks under stress, and that’s before direct nutrition assistance lapses | MPR News
we have donated food and money for decades. they always complain that they don't have enough. then there are the stories about trashing tons of expired food. it's frustrating that we have any food issues in our country.
The whole expired food thing gets me too. Many things are good past date with many canned items good years past their exp. date. Fresh eggs -- I have used a month past date (always do a float test first). Yes. Food does go bad and can be dangerous. But some "expired" items also just lose some nutritional value and/or isn't as tasty, but are still edible. As a kid growing up in a low income home we never hit the foodbank, but did buy at the bakery thrift store and other off-price retailers. As mom said "eat it. You aren't getting anything else." LOL
we eat expired food too. it's all about common sense, but perhaps that would be a liability in the food bank business. we also refuse to donate junk food, which they regularly say they are short of.
I have consumed my share of junk over the years, but mostly eat healthy. Though I do admit to the rare morning when a cola and a doughnut serves as breakfast. Yes, disgusting, but tasty. But, mostly healthy. I used to tell my kids if it is good enough for..
That's really sad; but it feels more like a logistical issue. When I was growing up in the city and working in fast food and restaurants; I'd drive out of my way to drop off any salvageable 'spoilage' rather than simply trashing it. If it only has a day, most 'soup kitchens' will gladly take it.
Maybe we're the wealthiest country in the world because we've all been robbed (nickel & dimed to death) by the same small number of greedy and awful people?
My 'priors' I go to a church that actually and literally 'FEEDs Folks!' IOW - we have not been shut down by the federal government for some arbitrary 'safety' code violation. FOOD INSECURITY is a real thing, and if you've gone '10 questions deep' into this topic instead of just skimming the surface then you 'know what you know.' Look at the top chronic health issues in the US and then TELL me which ones do not have a diet component. Top chronic health issues: Heart disease: A leading cause of death in the U.S. Cancer: A broad group of diseases that can affect many parts of the body. Diabetes: Affects blood sugar levels and is a major cause of other health problems. Stroke: Occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Obesity: A condition of being excessively overweight, which increases the risk of other chronic diseases. Alzheimer's disease: A progressive disease that affects memory and brain function. Chronic kidney disease: Affects the function of the kidneys over time. Hypertension: Commonly known as high blood pressure. COPD: A group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe. SO!!! HOW many of these are related to a calorie insufficient diet? NOW tell me WHY food insecure people (and they ARE!) can buy a case of Red Bull, Monster, or Rockstar energy drinks with their SNAP benefits and WHY this would lead to people like ME going to a church whose activities ACTUALLY include feeding ACTUALLY hungry people!!!! First World Charity: Generosity......with other people's money.
