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Assessment Technology, Inc Social Studies Content Writer Health Care Rio Salado College PA's/Online Instructors General CORT Warehouse Supervisor Construction Komatsu Equipment Co Mechanic General CORT WAREHOUSE/DRIVER OpinionTough times leave clothing, food banks shortOur view: There are many ways to give to these helpful community agencies
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.05.2008
The human evidence that times are tough just keeps piling up. Tight credit, a contracting job market, volatile gas prices and rising food prices are taking a toll.
The most vulnerable among us are still struggling. Tucson has so far responded generously — but this is no time to begin turning away.
This week we heard from the Tucson Unified School District that its clothing bank is woefully short on items for children who wear sizes 6 thought 14. They'll accept new and used items that are in good shape, in all sizes. Monetary donations are also welcome.
Chris Molina, who manages the Clothing Bank, said in a news release that the bank has served approximately 350 kids since summer and inventory is down.
In recent weeks we reported shortages affecting the Pima Meals on Wheels program as well as stresses at the Community Food Bank.
The Star's Stephanie Innes reported in August that Pima Meals on Wheels faced the possibility of cutting back on the number of visits it makes to elderly folks in Pima County. The agency provides meals 23 days of every month to 1,400 senior citizens, but increases in food and gas prices put a pinch on the budget.
Adina Wingate of the Pima Council on Aging, which runs Meals on Wheels, said two weeks ago that after the news story and a subsequent editorial urging people to help ran in the Star, the program received about $25,000 in donations.
The same pressures: Higher gas, rising food prices, a tough job market — also stressed the Community Food Bank, the Star reported earlier in the summer.
The Community Food bank is marking September as "Hunger Action Month." The "Call to Action" kickoff will take place today at 10 a.m. in the Food Plus area of the Food Bank, 3003 S. Country Club Road.
The speakers will include Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, Pima County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Elías and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
The Food Bank distributed 17,340 family food boxes in July 2008, a 43 percent increase over July 2007. The number is expected to continue to increase into 2009.
Look around. There are hundreds of ways to give — through neighborhood schools, churches, collection boxes at malls and at work, and through the deserving groups described here.
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