Food Banks
I am pleased to see that the food banks are receiving sufficient donations this year, last year was a final push to meet demand. I think that people may have gained perspective on their situation in the last year and are therefore more inclined to give – that is my current hypothesis, completely unsubstantiated.
Around the Bay Area, organizations that deliver the most basic of services – food – have feared the trembling economy would bring unprecedented demand and fewer donors. But in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, major food banks reported good news: Corporations, foundations and individuals have heeded the call for help.“People are prioritizing their giving, and food is a basic,” said Paul Ash, executive director of the San Francisco Food Bank, which will provide holiday meals to more than 66,000 people in San Francisco today. He received an unexpected $250,000 check in October from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, a San Francisco family fund that committed more than $1.2 million in 2007 to alleviating world hunger. The donation was made, Ash said, in response to news of rising unemployment, a collapse in housing and a deepening credit crisis.
He also praised the generosity of other companies, notably Macy’s, for its funding, volunteers and food donations.
“We are seeing a 20 percent rise in the need for services,” Ash said. “Staff members are seeing a lot of people who are new to the pantry line. We don’t know what next year will bring in terms of donations. Where we may be saved is the modest donor who knows a person who was laid off or knows someone who lost a home. That donor who gave $50 last year may give $100 this year.”
Wells Fargo doubled its donations to Bay Area food banks this year to $100,000.
