Alan Edelstein is the Executive Director of Family and Community Service of Delaware County (FCS). FCS administers Delaware County’s emergency food assistance programs through a network of food centers including the twelve member centers of the Delco Interfaith Food Assistance Network (DIFAN).
For most of us, the approaching holiday season is a time when we think of gathering together and spending precious time with our loved ones. Many of us also think about making donations to those in need that are less fortunate than ourselves. As a provider of food assistance services, our Agency is grateful that so many folks feel the impulse to give, and we see these sentiments reflected in an outpouring of aid that brightens the holidays for those who are struggling with the persistence of poverty.
In our media culture, the poor tend to be invisible for most of the year. To give you an idea of the extent of hunger in our communities, a 2009 US Department of Agriculture study found that 14.9 percent of Americans— more than 50 million people— experienced “food insecurity” at least some time during the year and were unable to meet their dietary needs. Closer to home, last year in Delaware County 7,000 households— including 8,500 adults, 6,600 children and 1,900 elderly persons— received government donated food assistance. As a result of the lingering Great Recession, in the same period the 12 DIFAN food centers distributed 1.1 million meals, an increase of 22 percent over the previous year.
We and our affiliated food centers and agencies greatly appreciate our neighbors’ generous support during the holiday season, which helps us to meet a critical need. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that poverty and food insecurity are not just limited to a couple of months on the calendar, and I encourage everyone to maintain the giving spirit and support organizations that help those in need throughout the entire year.
This is good to know, Family and Community Service of Delaware County (FCSDC)," will be our Charity of choice this year. We are grateful that our family has been fortunate enough to keep food on our table, and would like to share our resources with others that are experiencing hardships. As administrators of DIFAN, good job FCSDC.
ReplyDeleteAs a volunteer at a wonderful and giving food assistance program, Loaves and Fishes located in the Prospect Hill Baptist Church, I can attest to and support Alan Edelstein's commentary. Loaves and Fishes is one of the 12 DIFAN food centers. Please remember that the need for food exists past the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteLois Snyder