Gardner Sheffield keeps a close eye on the food collection trailer, the yellow food collection bucket, and the weather. He called to say that with wintry mix in the forecast, we better empty the trailer, "Why don't I take half the food to Second Harvest Food Bank and half to Urban Ministry?" With Second Harvest's partner agency demand up 75% this year and Urban Ministry's pantry overflowing at the moment, we made the executive decision to allocate 100% of this trailer load to Second Harvest. First the good news. This installment weighed in at 943 pounds, bringing the Shine the Light on Hunger total so far to 3,831. As of this moment, the food's been inspected, sorted, and is on its way to needy persons.
Now the bad news: nearly 50 million people -- including almost one child in four -- struggled last year to get enough to eat. You can read how America's economic pain has brought on hunger pangs here. After you finish that, get a copy of the USDA's report on food security (insecurity) in America). Warning: it's not for the faint of heart, but go on and read it anyway.
In 2007, Friends of Lighted Christmas Balls in Sunset Hills collected 2,976 pounds of food.
In 2008, we collected 4,000 pounds, up 34%, during a recession I might add.
This year's goal is 10,000 pounds. I don't know where we got a goal that's 2 1/2 times what we collected last year, but there it is.
At 3,831 pounds we're not there yet, and that's where you come in. We would love for you to gather up all the non-perishable food you can fit in your car, truck or backpack and come see the lights, and donate food here or here. Tell your family, friends, and co-workers. If you're retired and your home is a retirement center, fill at least one seat on the bus with non-perishable food. If you run, get everyone in your running club to grab 2 cans of food and run to the yellow barrel or food collection trailer. Just come and bring food. You'll be glad you did.
