Aid groups feel the pinch of rising food and gas prices
Higher demand, lower supply
Dramatic increases in food and gas prices are leaving some religious hunger-relief groups praying for relief.
Problems were already apparent in 2006, but U.S. churches now report increased difficulty getting meals to people who need them. Food distributors see a perfect storm: a huge jump in requests from new clients, along with decreased donations and a thinning food supply.
Antihunger activists are experiencing severe challenges in at least two areas—a new farm bill they say is inadequate to meet current needs, and a drop in food supplies for local food pantries and soup kitchens.
The nearly $300 billion farm bill that cleared Congress in mid-May by veto-proof margins (318 to 106 in the House and 81 to 15 in the Senate) was deemed only “half a loaf” by David Beckmann, president of the ecumenical antihunger group Bread for the World.
Problems were already apparent in 2006, but U.S. churches now report increased difficulty getting meals to people who need them. Food distributors see a perfect storm: a huge jump in requests from new clients, along with decreased donations and a thinning food supply.
Antihunger activists are experiencing severe challenges in at least two areas—a new farm bill they say is inadequate to meet current needs, and a drop in food supplies for local food pantries and soup kitchens.
The nearly $300 billion farm bill that cleared Congress in mid-May by veto-proof margins (318 to 106 in the House and 81 to 15 in the Senate) was deemed only “half a loaf” by David Beckmann, president of the ecumenical antihunger group Bread for the World.
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