Dateline NBC ran a series spotlighting a town in South East Ohio and profiled the Friends & Neighbors food bank as it struggled to secure enough funding to feed its growing client base. The story illustrates just how hard the great recession has hit the poorest in our country.
LISA ROBERTS: They’re not asking to be rich – they’re asking to not be hungry, to be able to pay their bills and buy their medicine. That’s not too much. It’s not their fault. It’s not the people’s fault.
ANN CURRY: Why do you say that so much?
LISA ROBERTS: Because I see how hard they work. Sometimes you’ll hear, ‘Oh, you know, they’re just layin’ back, waitin’ for a handout. They could go to work if they wanted to go to work. They’d rather be on welfare, they’d rather have 100 kids.’ It’s not true.
It’s a sentiment we heard all over Southeast Ohio.
The link above takes you to the full transcript of the series if you prefer to read instead of watch (scroll down the page to see transcript).
If you are interested in learning more about the Friends & Neighbors food pantry (or donating) here is a link to the website. If you prefer to give locally to where you live, a quick search should reveal food pantries in your area that I am sure would appreciate donations. For my Boston readers, Rosie's Place is one place I have donated to for years.
Thanks for the mention!