
The 25th annual Scouting for Food canned-good drive will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, throughout the Greater St. Louis Area Council. Hundreds of pantries throughout our council rely on Scouting for Food donations for anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of the food they annually distribute. As we prepare for the 25th anniversary of the drive, the demand for food at pantries might be at an all-time high.
A New York Times story published on Monday stated that hunger in America may be at an all-time high:
The number of Americans who lived in households that lacked consistent access to adequate food soared last year, to 49 million, the highest since the government began tracking what it calls “food insecurity” 14 years ago, the Department of Agriculture reported Monday.
The increase, of 13 million Americans, was much larger than even the most pessimistic observers of hunger trends had expected and cast an alarming light on the daily hardships caused by the recession’s punishing effect on jobs and wages.
About a third of these struggling households had what the researchers called “very low food security,” meaning lack of money forced members to skip meals, cut portions or otherwise forgo food at some point in the year.
The other two-thirds typically had enough to eat, but only by eating cheaper or less varied foods, relying on government aid like food stamps, or visiting food pantries and soup kitchens.
Scouting for Food helps the general public play a critical role in feeding the hungry. Is your bag ready for Saturday? Did you buy a few extra canned goods for someone who needs a nutritious meal? If you are a Scout, leader or parent, are you prepared to collect bags on Saturday? You’re welcome to join our conversation by leaving a comment.