Study finds use of food pantries soaring in Mass.

[Forkboy]

Need for help rose 23 percent

Nearly 1 in 10 state residents relied on a food pantry, soup kitchen, or shelter last year, a 23 percent increase over 2006, according to a new survey of food banks in Massachusetts.

Feeding America, a network of 200 food banks nationwide, estimated that more than 571,000 state residents relied on food assistance last year.

The state’s food banks distributed 44.7 million pounds of food last year, a 30 percent increase from 2006, reflecting a spike in demand as unemployment and poverty have surged during the recession.

One of those recipients of food assistance is Tom La Masture, 72, who lives with his wife in Lowell and who said they struggle to survive on $2,000 a month they receive from Social Security. La Masture, a retired document checker for an engineering firm, is a diabetic who suffers from a heart ailment. He has been visiting local food pantries for the past two years, since the money ran out from the sale of the couple’s home in California.

“We wouldn’t be eating if we didn’t go to a food pantry,’’ said La Masture, who has to use most of the couple’s income for rent and medication. “Our income just isn’t enough.’’

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/03/study_finds_use_of_food_pantries_soaring_in_mass/

Editorial comment by Forkboy: The wars need to end now. We have too many hurting people to take care of. There's zero excuse for this in a country like ours. None.

[wtbymark]

1. Food bank of Northern Nevada

demand up 400% since 2006
http://www.fbnn.org/2010/02/03/hunger-study-shocks-experts/

[Forkboy]

2. My bet is it's like this everywhere.

We have people living in goddamned tent cities. :mad:

[mix]

3. It is everywhere.

The county I live in has a child poverty rate of around 30%...and hunger is on the rise statewide...shameful.
http://newmexicoindependent.com/46145/hunger-in-new-mexico-on-the-rise

[Bluebear]

4. 'who has to use most of the couple’s income for rent and medication.'

America.

[Forkboy]

5. ...

I get $704/month, but my copays are dirt cheap due to MassHealth. I don't know how people without health care like mine are doing it. Apparently, they aren't. :(