We are nearing the holidays
and this year everything.
As we all know, it's going to be way
more expensive than in years past.
So the numbers are finally out.
The Labor Department released their
snapshot of the state of inflation
in America and unfortunately
things are still not looking great.
While prices in October were
down a bit from September,
we are still paying more than
7 1/2% for everyday needs,
which cost people about $450 every month.
So the impact is felt at our local food
banks too and the Sacramento Food Bank.
Those ABC 10 that this summer was the
busiest summer in the history of their
organization and food banks across
our area are facing increased demand.
So in tonight's main point,
it is very clear between the pandemic,
inflation and higher cost of living,
the increased need for help
still remains high.
To look somebody in the eye and to
see their humanity and to recognize
who they are and their need,
the food will be gone and
they'll need more food tomorrow.
But the dignity we can give to
people and the actual love and
acknowledgement and value of them,
that lasts a lot longer.
I am the
executive director of the Mercy Coalition
here in West Sacramento,
and the Mercy Coalition grew
originally as a coalition of
churches in the faith Community,
all working together,
coming together to serve those that.
They're unsheltered and grew
into a a full nonprofit.
And we get this opportunity now to
work with a lot of partners and
volunteers in West Sacramento,
providing a variety of services,
supportive services as well as food services.
And we've done that for about 12 years now.
There's a whole segment of society
that's getting pushed to the brink,
pushed to the brink,
pushed to the brink.
We
can talk about economic policies and
everything and all of that's important,
but meanwhile we better figure
out how to catch people before
they get pushed off a Cliff.
We have seen those numbers of those
who need the emergency food bags they
have shot up since 7-8 months ago.
Predictably, the inflation problem
has of course reached people on
the poverty line most of all.
So the need is greater.
And So what we're doing becomes even
though the the numbers have shot up,
we've
got to find a way to meet that
need because more people are
hungry and they need it every race,
color, background, gender, age.
There are a lot of reasons
why people are hungry.
There are a lot of. Reasons why.
Food doesn't reach them, but for all of us,
we're trying to bridge those gaps,
whatever they may be, without judging.
Who deserves it or where that where
you know who's to blame for the gap.
We just want to fill the gap and
and and and love people with that
because it doesn't matter who you are,
you deserve to eat.
You really deserve to be.
And and so it really is that little,
that little spark and that little
knee that we see in people's eyes
that drives every single person,
not just around the mercy coalition,
but in so many of our partners
and volunteers and everybody.
So what keeps them coming back?
It's really not that hard.
It's just a matter of being
deliberately committed to it.
At the end of the day,
I think we all do it for the same reason.
It's because when you look in the
eyes of somebody who's hungry or
somebody who's hurting somebody who
doesn't have the mental capacity.
To care for themselves and
and do things for themselves.
Your heart is moved and and it is that
and it is that heart movement that
ends up being behind all that we do.
Now, when I interviewed Don,
I asked him if there are people who
are going hungry because they may
feel embarrassed to ask for help.
And he said the question we need to
be asking is have we as a society made
people feel embarrassed to ask for help?
And the way he puts it,
we've unintentionally created a a
dichotomy where there are people
who are only giving help and
people who are only receiving help,
and that we often identify people
based on what they don't have
instead of realizing their worth
and what they have to contribute.
And we know that nearly 700,000
people in our area go to bed every
night not knowing where their
next meal will come from.
And this is exactly why ABC 10 and Wells
Fargo are coming together once again
for the third annual Stand against hunger.
So now, through December 18th,
the stand against Hunger Campaign
is raising money for seven local
food banks to help feed people who
are in need this holiday season.
A donation of just one dollar $1.00 that
will buy 10 meals and a donation of $10.
To help feed a family of four
for a full week.
So for a list of participating
food banks and how you can help,
all you have to do is just
text the word hunger to
916-321-3310.