Comments on: Summertime: The Living Ain’t Easy For Children In Poverty

By: Leen

Leen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:26:21 +0000

Christy thanks for re directing our attention to this important issue. When a Sarah Palin blog gets hundreds of hits and comments and a post like this is somewhat empty of comments…another sign of the times.

thanks for making us think about volunteering, giving, and reaching out.

By: demi

demi — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:06:50 +0000

That is good news.
Now that I’m working, I’m out an about and on the same freeway off ramps everyday. Seeing more homeless and hungry than when I was staying home. When I make a sandwich in the am to take with me, I make an extra one, grab an extra apple and then I pass them out the window to the people I see every day. I’m not exactly a soup kitchen, but I’ve started my own personal Each One, Reach One.

By: demi

demi — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:58:53 +0000

Here’s what google offered:
NEWS RELEASEFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View
Jun 30, 2009 … LAUSD to Provide Students with FREE Meals this Summer … Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that low-income children continue to …
notebook.lausd.net/pls/…/6D33B06279654022E0430A0002104022 - Similar
but, the link is to an internal site wherein you need a password. Still.

By: Christy Hardin Smith

Christy Hardin Smith — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:45:36 +0000

Some school districts around the country are also doing take-home meals that kids can pick up in some of the most hard hit areas. Surpluses with the USDA don’t stop over the summer — if anything, a lot of them pick up with veggies and fruits which spoil quickly and aren’t as easily canned.

So I know there is effort to help with that, as well as to set up means for farmer’s markets to take food stamps, WIC and other social service vouchers over the summer to get fresh foods into kids’ diets.

By: demi

demi — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:43:47 +0000

Even though most summer school classes were cancelled here in LA, I did hear a report that some schools (all?) were still going to provide 2 meals a day for the students that were on the meal program. I’ll go see if I can find a link.

By: Zombiebirdhouse

Zombiebirdhouse — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:16:04 +0000

Same here in western NC. The local food distribution site tells us that demand is way up and unfortunately the donations are way down. We’ve pledged to buy something for them during each visit to the grocery store.

By: Christy Hardin Smith

Christy Hardin Smith — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:08:32 +0000

I’ve noticed that several local churches here have begun regular weekly free lunch programs where there used to be only a once a month one.

And I know our local food pantry/soup kitchen has been swamped the last few months — including having a line outside a couple of times when I’ve driven by around breakfast-time. Has it been the same where you guys are, too?

I keep seeing articles about food pantries everywhere soliciting more donations because need and demand is up. I can’t imagine it’s just my neck of the woods that’s hurting.

By: AZ Matt

AZ Matt — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:04:53 +0000

From DKos: Last Time, Bloomberg Jailed Homeless Families. Now?

By: bgrothus

bgrothus — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:04:52 +0000

AM, Christy and thanks for these posts.

It is frightening what is happening in our country, not to mention how our economic fortunes change the economic picture all over the world.

We do need to find a means of encouraging our students to learn in school, to keep attendance up, and to involve parents in the process. I don’t know what will do it, but the CCT model would have a hard time getting support, no doubt, at the congressional level. Maybe it could be done by the states.

By: Zombiebirdhouse

Zombiebirdhouse — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:50:04 +0000

Dickensian America: Hunger can be a positive motivator. What is wrong with the idea of getting a job so you can get better meals? Tip: If you work for McDonald’s, they will feed you for free during your break. State Rep. Cynthia Davis (R-MO)

Thank you for shining a light Christy.