Food for Thought

Whether because of prudence or fear, people stored weeks or months of food before the new year dawned, just in case Y2K fears came true. Orange County’s food banks would love to have that food.

The Second Harvest Food Bank, one of the largest providers, feeds more than 180,000 people a month. It notes that the last census found more than 400,000 people at risk of going hungry every month in Orange County, nearly half of them children. Some organizations helping those needing food said an unfortunate side effect of the increasing stockpiles was the dramatic drop in donations. The amount of food donated at the end of 1999 was half that of 1998.

Food banks feed thousands of people each day in Orange County, which despite its wealth has many residents living below the poverty line. When they unexpectedly lose their jobs, hunger becomes a possibility, especially when the choice is between food and rent. The county’s religious organizations and nonprofit groups do a good job of helping, but they in turn rely on donations of money and food.

Even canned and packaged foods last only so long. There is a danger that those who bought great amounts in advance of the new year will keep the edibles past their expiration date. They would help the hungry by donating food to those who need it now.