Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Hunger, homelessness are growing problems

Two of the most basic human needs are a safe place to live and enough food to eat. There are an estimated 3.5 million homeless persons in the United States, and the number is increasing. Also, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 35.5 million people -- including 12.6 million children -- live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in 10 households in the United States -- 10.9 percent.

Every year, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness co-sponsor National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week one week prior to Thanksgiving, to help promote education, action and awareness about hunger and homelessness.

Also during this week, many businesses, organizations and faith communities throughout the nation endeavor to bring a greater awareness to the issues of hunger and homelessness.

Here in Key West, Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida launched a new campaign. The "Feeding Our People" program kicked off Saturday during the diocese's annual conference.

I am extremely grateful to Episcopal Charities and St. Paul's Church for over nine years of collaboration and support addressing hunger in our community. Together we have provided aid for thousands of our most needy neighbors through the Loaves and Fish Food Pantry.

By working to bring more attention to the plight of the homeless and hungry, we can each foster greater understanding and solidarity to end this national disgrace.

Stephen E. Braddock

Florida Keys

Outreach Coalition

Key West

No one should have to go to be hungry

As many of us prepare for a Thanksgiving holiday to celebrate our blessings, I hope you will find a way to help fellow Floridians suffering during tough economic times.

Many of our neighbors are without adequate food and have no place to call home. These tough economic times have touched the lives of many who have never had to ask for help from others.

Appropriately, the week before the Thanksgiving holiday is recognized as the National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.

As secretary of the agency committed to protecting the state's most vulnerable, I see firsthand the impact these economic times have on our families and neighbors. As we approach this time to give thanks for the blessings of our lives, we are asking all Floridians to reflect on the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. Ask yourself if you can lend a hand to those in need.

No resident of this great state should have to go to bed hungry. What can you do to help? Consider:

• Donating food to your local food pantry;

• Volunteering with local agencies that provide services to those in need;

• Contributing to a local charity or church that feeds the hungry or houses the homeless and encourage others in your community to join you; and

• Talking to your children about issues of hunger and homelessness.

Please, search your heart for ways that you can personally help a neighbor in need. For more information, you can visit the National Coalition for the Homeless at http://www.nationalhomeless.org or our office on homelessness at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/homelessness.

George H. Sheldon

Secretary

Department of Children

and Families

Tallahassee

Give Key West back to those who love her

Just reading couple of the letters and listening to remarks regarding this past Fantasy Fest, I wonder if county commissioners do listen to the people who live full time in the Keys, or families with children, or some school administrators who teach decency, morals and values, and then everything they taught is shot to hell when Fantasy Fest arrives.

The county commissioners remind me of the 10 brothers who sold their young brother Joseph to slave traders. These county commissioners are no different when they sell out Key West to any organizers such as Fantasy Fest or the bikers who have no respect for this little island. Any buck will do.

Listen to the people who want to make Key West their home, their place of business and raising their children. Give Key West back to people who love and respect her.

Elizabeth M. Sullivan

Washington, D.C.