Opinion
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The hungry among us
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Published: May 26, 2009
Many of us are all but numb to stories about the effects of the recession. But one last week that noted a sharp increase in the need for food assistance in the region stood out. It should be a call to action to support efforts to feed the hungry, as well as efforts to create better-paying jobs.
All 14 counties in the Triad and Northwest North Carolina had at least a double-digit increase in individuals receiving food and nutrition assistance from December 2007 through April 2009, with increases ranging from 10.5 percent to 38.8 percent, the Journal's Richard Craver reported, citing figures from the N.C. Budget & Tax Center.
In Forsyth County, the number of households receiving food assistance increased by about 25 percent, from 13,026 to 16,228 from March 2008 to Wednesday, said Joe Raymond, the director of the Forsyth County Department of Social Services.
"There are definitely people who are hungry, and it does not appear we've seen the bottom yet," he said.
"We are seeing people here at the DSS, and you see this reported nationally, who have never thought about it before, having to rely on public support."
Raymond said he has worked with County Manager Dudley Watts to bring in extra workers to handle the increased applications for food assistance. Federal stimulus money should help as well.
Many area residents are struggling. Still, those who can should donate their dollars or time to help with efforts that feed the hungry, such as the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, Samaritan Ministries, Crisis Control Ministry, Sunnyside Ministry of the Moravian Church and the Salvation Army.
In the long run, efforts to create better-paying jobs are crucial. The Forsyth jobless rate climbed from 4.2 percent in December 2007 to 9.7 percent in March of this year, the latest figures available. And many of the jobs available are low-paying ones. "You can work full-time in this country and still not be able to provide for your family, especially in low-wage, low-benefit jobs," Raymond said.
In Forsyth County, he noted, the good-paying manufacturing jobs that did not require higher education are gone. "And we haven't figured out what comes next. Let's be honest: Where are the jobs for people to live on?"
That's a good question. Local leaders have been working to improve economic development. These new figures on food assistance should bring a sense of urgency to that effort.
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