Economy puts Strain on Food Bank's Resources

Those of us who work at St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance are well aware of the effect the current economic stiuation has had on demand for our services: our demand is up 56% in 2009 v. 2008, and up about 100% over 2007. For Thanksgiving we provided over 55,000 people with food. But we also know that this situation is being repeated across the country, as people struggle with job losses and rising expenses. The article located at http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHALLENGED_CHARITIES?SITE=AZSUN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT highlights the challenges faced by both the charities and the people they serve.