Gleaners Dealing With Growing Poverty Numbers
DETROIT (WWJ) - How will emergency food organizations help meet the needs of the growing number of Americans living in poverty? At Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit, President Dwayne Wells says food donations from government and some national donors are declining:
"What stands out to me is that demand is going to increase over the short-term," said Wells.
"Food donations are actually trending down from government sources and from national food donors, due to efficiencies in the food systems," added Wells.
Corporations and individuals are also helping by volunteering at emergency food programs like Gleaners.
He says they're working with community food drives, and farmers. Corporate partners also contribute by donating fresh produce - helping to make up for the food supply shortfall.
The ranks of the nation's poor have swelled to a record 46.2 million - or nearly 1 in 6 Americans - as the prolonged pain of the recession leaves millions still struggling and out of work.
