Fight Against Hunger Perseveres in 2010

February 9th, 2010. As we commence 2010, the "Great Recession" continues to affect American families. Unemployment lingers around 10 percent, despite hopeful predictions of a decrease. 7 million jobs have been lost over the course of this economic crisis, beginning in December of 2007.

The Hunger Network is helping more families than ever before, a sign of the growing number of families in need of food. A recent visit to the Parma Hunger Center reinforced the predictions of the growing hunger rate, and at the same time demonstrated the strength of the community. Parma Hunger Center's Volunteer Manager, Arch Stevenson, shared with us that his hunger center provided meals to 27.5 percent more families in 2009 than the previous year, while 2008 numbers were 25 percent higher than 2007. Arch estimates an even higher increase for this year. He believes this based on to reasons: one, the community is still suffering job loss and two, the wall of fear families put up in asking for help is coming down. Some families wait until their kitchens are completely empty, Stevenson tells, before reaching out for help. But they have no choice other than to turn to the Hunger Center, where they are welcomed with open arms.

The Parma community shows endless support with food donations coming in constantly from the area food drives and the help of many volunteers. The Parma Hunger Center is a truly wonderful example of the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland's mission, which is to serve and help as many people as possible. The volunteers do an amazing job at orchestrating the flow of food in and out of the center into the hands of families in need.

Although the fight against hunger perseveres, the community is still at work. But this fight needs to be fought harder and stronger than ever! Please, donate what you can whether it be your time or directly to a hunger center. The community must continue to unite and stop hunger in its tracks!