MORE ON EMPTY FOOD SHELVES

My friends who starred in my earlier blog re food shelves sent the following, with permission to publish it. It seems pretty obvious that the private sector is overwhelmed, not up to handling this systemic problem on its own.

For a third paragraph on the Food Shelves blog—we went shopping again and this week the shelves at the Food Bank were even more empty.  We were told that there had not been a delivery from a local supermarket in over a month.

Paragraph four—I’m writing a message in the monthly church news letter to inform the church folk of the situation.  I will suggest that if we brought just one food item whenever we came to church, it would really help to fill the food boxes.  Also, if groups that meet weekly or monthly did the same, it would be even better.  We’re starting that with my monthly book group—not a church related activity—but the members are community minded.

EMPTY FOOD SHELVES

While I was In Maine I accompanied my friends Harriet and Bob on the beginning of their monthly stint picking up food from the central warehouse to stock the shelves of their church outlet. The first step was to do an inventory of needs at their site. I don’t have words to describe what happened to the pit of my stomach when they unlocked the door and we walked in. EMPTY SHELVES! There were, I think, ten jars of peanut butter and a few sad looking boxes of pasta, with another few stray items. I didn’t even feel grateful that I don’t have to feed my family off such shelves, I just felt shame and intense sadness.

It was even worse when they returned from their expedition the next day to the warehouse. Those shelves were lacking as well. They intended to bring back enough supplies to fill boxes based on a list posted on the wall, but there would not be enough items to complete the list. On the day when the unit is open, people coming to pick up their share will find big gaps – even toilet paper was missing.

I learned in my High School English course that there should be at least three paragraphs here. But what should I put in this last one?