Hunger never takes a holiday; join the fight against it

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

As we approach the holiday season, the annual food drive starts with the second annual Concert to End Hunger in Calvert County and fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 10, with gates to open 4 p.m.

There will be entertainment, food and free parking for an affordable $10 per ticket. The sponsors are asking all to bring a canned good or other non perishable item to put in the box. There will also be boxes at the local schools, grocery stores and churches.

The Chesapeake Church, led by the Rev. Robert Hahn, and the Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry, directed by Cathy Ring, are leading a large coalition of community churches, ministries, food pantries, private businesses, volunteers and many other concerned individuals to provide food for those in need in our county in the coming months and years.

I say months and years because the needs are greater today and for the future than they have ever been. The economic downturn has affected a huge part of our county and state with the loss of jobs and income, home foreclosures, housing crises and homelessness leading to more problematic struggles for day to-day survival that these issues create.

It is critical that all Calvert County citizens step up and help our friends and neighbors to help provide the basic needs of food, housing, health care, counseling, job training and support to help them help themselves through these tough times.

The reality is that any one of us could be in the same situation, out of work, struggling to feed a hungry family or keeping a roof over our heads. These issues and more are what many of the working poor or homeless deal with on a daily basis. To assist these families or individuals, there are seven local food pantries in Calvert County and the new Project ECHO House Shelter managed by Ms. Lori Hony, which was just dedicated Saturday, Oct. 3.

Running these operations has become more challenging and expensive. Most of the pantries are operated by local ministries but depend on donations and volunteers.

State and local government have less to spend on these services so it's up to concerned citizens to try to fill the gaps in funding.

All of us can donate something whether it's food, money or volunteering.

Non-perishable food items are distributed directly from the local food pantries; monetary donations increase the ability of the pantries to purchase food in great quantities.

For example, a donation of $20 allows members of the Maryland Food Bank to purchase as much as 100 pounds of staples to stock their shelves. Volunteering is like donating twice; providing staffing and support while freeing up money where it's needed most; buying more food or services for those in need.

Here's something else to think about; hunger and homelessness don't take a holiday. Long after Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or Ramadan, there is still a great need to continue the hard work and giving of all basic needs listed above.

All of us can continue to give whatever we can manage throughout the rest of the year.

There are boxes located at local day care centers and businesses  for donations that are later distributed to the local pantries.

Donations of cash or food can be taken directly to the agencies or pantries for distribution.

Let all of us who have more, give as much as we can to those who have less. This is how we foster growth and community, by reaching out to help those of us in need.

We will be better for it and everyone wins by participating in our community. My thanks to all and I hope to see many of you at the concert.

Wm. Conway, Owings