Editorial: Food Bank urgently needs support to feed hungry

Fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, soup, peanut butter and personal toiletries are flying off the shelf at the Green Valley Community Food Bank.

From one perspective, it’s gratifying to know food and supplies are being used by those in need immediately. Fresh fruit and vegetables do not spoil. Milk and eggs do not expire. Your cash contributions are making a difference.

On the other hand, stark reality has set in at the facility on Continental Road. The shelves are practically bare. The warehouse, usually full with donations of canned goods and other food, is empty compared to this time last year.

Here’s the sad part. Some families in Sahuarita are having trouble living paycheck to paycheck. More than 60 percent of the clients at the Food Bank came from Sahuarita last month. More than 500 households — an estimated 1,600 people — were served in June alone.

The price of gasoline, stagnant wages and fewer job opportunities are responsible for the problem. Most jobs pay employees once every two weeks, not weekly as in years gone by, forcing families to make choices among the essentials in their life — food, gasoline or medical care.

Homeowners in Arizona are experiencing double the amount of defaults and foreclosures compared to last year. That’s unprecedented and indicative of the hard times facing all families.

The Food Bank makes an immediate impact. Clients can request food twice a month. The food they receive will last at least a week, we surmised by watching young families walking out of the facility this week. Much depends on the size of the family.

We know we have asked for your assistance before in times of need. We supported the postal workers’ drive earlier this year. And we have championed the cause of feeding the hungry with our support of the Salvation Army and the Empty Bowls fundraiser for Green Valley Assistance Services.

In this case, we know the situation will worsen before it improves. Knowing that, we request that you contact the Food Bank and either write it a check, host a food drive or drop off canned goods.

Your generosity will feed hungry kids and families and improve the quality of life for hundreds.

Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of this newspaper. Respond with a Letter to the Editor by e-mailing letters@gvnews.com.

Details

Green Valley Community Food Bank at a glance:

Address: 250 E. Continental, Green Valley 85614;

Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday;

Branch manager: Mary Jane Goodrick;

Phone: 625-5252;

Donations: The food bank accepts cash and food items at its GV location and will send a truck to pick up many food contributions.