Food Bank Hampers Don't Curb Hunger: Study

Food Bank Hampers Don't Curb Hunger: Study
Josh Pringle
Thursday, January 11, 2007

A new study suggests Food Bank hampers don't have enough calories to curb hunger.

Researchers at the University of Western Ontario analyzed 180 food hampers from a large urban food bank in southwestern Ontario.

Food hampers are supposed to be able to sustain one person for three days.

The study found that virtually all of the hampers provided enough for little more than half of that.

The study suggests Food Banks didn't have enough fruits and vegetables, dairy or meat products and many vitamins and minerals were well below recommended levels.

http://www.cfra.com/headlines/index.asp?cat=1&nid=46166

This is a very real problem. Food banks usually do not have the services of trained dictations, and they often are staffed by well meaning, but uneducated people. Atop this many food banks just do not have adequate supplies to meet dietary needs. There is also an attitude which is pervasive in current western culture that extends to the needy a very real level of disrespect. To put it bluntly, people don't give a damn about one another anymore.

Very true Cliff. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The food banks that I volunteer for often say that at Christmas and Thanksgivings donations are very good. People give canned goods and pastas mostly, cash donations help the food banks to add some variety to the mix. The local food bank did wonderful Christmas hampers, very thoughtful, fresh fruit and veggies, voucher for a turkey and a well thought out hamper. They say that they don't get enough canned fruit which is important in a healthy diet as well. A lot of tomato soup and baked beans - these are items that go on sale though. People don't really think to donate toilet paper, grooming products, laundry and cleaning products either. People should never be shamed for showing their poverty - especially when they are trying to feed their children.

Cheryl