Give Thanks and Help Put Food on Someone Else's Plate

As I pushed back from the table yesterday, it occurred to me that not everybody in our country (or around the world, for that matter) was facing the proverbial groaning board. According to a key U.S. food back association, FeedingAmerica.org, in fact, more people in the United States are turning to food banks for assistance than ever before.

Here are some recent statistics that Feeding America reports from the hundreds of food banks across the county that they represent:

? From March through October, 2020, food banks distributed 4.2 billion meals in the United States.
? During that same period, 4 in 10 people who visited a food bank were doing so for the first time.
? More than 80 percent of U.S. food banks are serving more people in 2020 than they did in 2019.
? In October 2020, in fact, food banks distributed more than 50 percent more food than they did in October 2019.
? Feeding America estimates that 1 in 6 Americans face hunger right now because of the pandemic.

What to Do, How to Help?

The obvious response is to make a donation, if you can, to a local food bank. Here's a link to Feeding America's food bank locator. Putting my money where my mouth just was, I just made a $100 donation to CentralTexasFoodbank.org.

Even if you can't afford to make a large donation, a small one is still worth making. As the old saying goes, "Every little bit helps." And if a financial contribution is not in the cards, the final bullet point on the Feeding America home page right now reads as follows: "Two thirds of Feeding America food banks across the country are accepting volunteers."

Traditionally, lots of food bank volunteers are older retirees looking to give back to the community. But because those folks are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, food banks are looking for younger, healthier volunteers willing to take proper safety precautions and help out with packaging, handing out or delivering food to recipients in their areas.

As many as 2 million monthly volunteers work at food banks, so human resources is something they can always use. You can click the afore-linked locator to inquire about volunteering opportunities as well.

In these times of giving thanks and of celebrating our own fortunes and survival, it's a good idea to reach out and help others less fortunate than we are. As you express your gratitude to friends and family this month, why not also share just a little of your resources and time with others, too?

You may find that it adds to the luster and enjoyment of the holiday season, which I hope will find all you readers safe, prosperous, and healthy. I hope your Thanksgiving was as good as mine, in fact. Best wishes to one and all!