While politicians dither over tax cuts for the wealthy, the unemployment benefits for millions of Americans are scheduled to expire, and what comes after that is frightening for these once-proud members of the middle class in America.
Hunger. Bankruptcy. Homelessness. Medical illnesses.
And thus begins the downward spiral, all because our politicians in Congress were too feckless and scared to act on extending unemployment benefits in fears of "adding" to the deficit.
Never mind the costs that will come to the economy from millions of Americans overloading emergency rooms, homes lost to foreclosure, cars repossessed, credit card bills unpaid, and undergoing bankruptcy.
What can we do to help? Even though we may not be able to solve unemployment individually, we can help alleviate the costs for these Americans and their families by working to help food banks in this busy holiday season.
Anti-hunger advocates worry that the end of extended unemployment will result in more hungry people. The Sarasota Herald Tribune reported last week that social service experts in Florida "expect a spike in families needing food" if Congress drops the benefits. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Ohio pantry operators "expect demand to continue to rise as more jobless workers exhaust unemployment benefits." The Patriot-News reported similar concerns popping up in Pennsylvania.
Escarra said Feeding America did not have data showing whether or not demand surged at food pantries during the lapse in benefits this summer, but said there would be an informal study this winter.
"Middle-class families who have lost homes, who have lost jobs, who have any kind of illness... They don't today have any disposable income," Escarra said. "The only area they can really give is around food, which is why we're seeing such an increase in mothers and dads going without meals and making sure their children have food, because they've got to pay rent, they have to pay transportation. There's no giving on that. They'll cut back on food every time."
So, if you can, please donate to food banks, and drop off whatever food you have in your pantry at the nearest food bank shelter. If we have enough money to spend on presents for family and friends, then we have the money to help out people who are in desperate need of our help. I donate because it could easily be me or people I know and love.
Matthew 25: 35-40 "‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 "The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ "
We are all just a few steps away from economic failure these days.