Shrinking Economy Strains Food Banks

I recently found this article in New York Times that discusses the major issues faced by many middle-class families in today’s economy. Because of the recent economic issues, many have lost jobs and find it rather difficult to support themselves and their families. Therefore most of these unfortunate people who are now unemployed must turn to food banks, soup kitchens and other charitable organizations to put food on the table. But because of the recent increase in families visiting food pantries, the demand is far greater than what most organizations can supply. Because of the recent job market, food aid has increased to about 40 percent, with the normal at 20 percent become the economic slow down. And many predict it will increase by 2009 if the economy slips into a further decline. Federal studies have found out that an estimated 35.5 million people lack enough nutritious food to eat and about 10 million children and adults alike go hungry in America today. The main problem of this new food shortage in food banks and the sudden demand and increase of people visiting food pantries is because of the job market and the current economy. People are losing jobs, and if the economy does not shape up, more people are going to turn to food aid and donations for help. Even the food banks are suffering because they can’t keep up with demands and grocery chains that once donated food are now cutting back because of monetary issues.