Kids Asking Santa For Food, Not Toys (Heartbreaking)

[OhioChick]

Foundation Scrambles To Replenish Food Shelves

POSTED: 2:35 am EST December 18, 2008
UPDATED: 3:01 am EST December 18, 2008

DENVER -- A longtime mall Santa said he was shocked and saddened to hear kid's Christmas wishes included food for their family instead of toys.

Rich Lopez has been playing Santa in Boulder for eight years.

He told Denver TV station KMGH that he loves that job because he enjoys listening to kids talk about their Christmas wish list.

"I'll get requests from girls for Barbie dolls or play sets," Lopez said. "Boys ask for Power Rangers or games."

But he said several recent requests nearly brought tears to his eyes.

"This year, for the first time, I had several kids ask for food. Food for their grandparents, food for their family," he said. "It just broke my heart."

Aside his side Santa job, Lopez is chairman of the board of directors at The Denver Foundation, a community group dedicated to improving life in Denver through philanthropy and leadership.

He asked the foundation to help. It responded, creating a to help replenish shelves at area food pantries.

"The shelves are bare here," said Jeff Hirota, the foundation's vice president of programs. "The money and the food go out faster than we can keep up with it. It's just going to get harder through the winter."

Hirota said The Denver Foundation wants to raise $500,000 to help combat hunger.

"We're going to send that aid directly to front line and get it out to the most vulnerable in our community as fast as we can," Hirota said.

Jon Holmer, of the Metro CareRing food shelf, said need has skyrocketed.

"It's been through the roof in terms of increase. We've been seeing an increase since last February and March," said Holmer.

http://www.newsnet5.com/holidays/18305610/detail.html

Kids asking for food....:cry:

[ogneopasno]

1. How awesome that he's in a position to do something about it. It's like he goes undercover

to see what the need is. Good for him.

[gauguin57]

2. I asked all my family members to donate to my area food bank instead of buying me gifts this year.

I did a project on a food bank this semester, and it's bad out there folks. I talked to a woman with 8 kids who wouldn't be able to feed her family without the food bank. The food bank I did the project on also provides clothing, personal items, baby supplies and toys at Xmas.

The woman who runs the food bank said the biggest increase in need is in WORKING families, who just can't afford the food they need anymore.

Please make a donation to your local food bank, or take them some non-perishable food. And don't forget them after the holidays.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. One of my students asked for electricity last year

[kestrel91316]

4. Kids asking for food..........how VERY UNAMERICAN of them!

What's wrong with them?? You'd think they'd want cheap plastic crap from China (complete with lead and melamine contamination).

Ungrateful little urchins.

[Azlady]

5. How heart breaking, but you know what -

The children are understanding, at such young ages that things are not good and that toys are not the most important thing..taking care of their family, from the mouth of babies...

Thank goodness for this Foundation - I know they are all getting overwhelmed this year.