Who Eat's Emergency Food?

Sociologist Janet Poppendieck tackles the question of “Who Eats Emergency Food?” in her book Sweet Charity? Statistical data from Second Harvest underlines poverty as the main factor contributing to the rise in emergency food assistance. With evidence from numerous studies and firsthand accounts, Poppendieck summarizes the problems that bring people to use emergency food programs are employment reasons, high shelter costs, and inadequate public assistance and food stamps. Emergency food sources include food pantries and soup kitchens and most of the clients that these places see are unemployed. These programs were initially made for temporary assistance for those who were recently unemployed and needed some help before they got back on their feet. Although many of the clients fall into this category, there are also many part time or migrant workers who cannot afford to allocate the recommended 30% of their income to nutritious food. Poppendieck notes that calculations poverty in poverty assume a third for food, a third for shelter, and the last third for  other necessities. A large portion of one’s income now goes towards rent and utilities and the poverty line does not adjust for this. Those who are not consider poor do not meet the requirement for aid and thus do not eat enough nutritious food because food is not high in priority. Even those who do get food stamps often cannot make it last through the month and need help from food pantries or soup kitchens for the rest of their meals. These programs are there for hungry people, but to define and measure one’s hunger is putting limitations on those who need help.

                This book addressing the rise in emergency food usage and its link to poverty was published over a decade ago, and is still seen today as the country is still in a recession with more people unemployed than ever. These problems continue today not because the government or society is not addressing it, but because it takes a larger reform for progressive change. The recession is still a large problem that cannot be solved in a matter of weeks, and until then many people will still be unemployed or barely making enough to support themselves and their family. Also, the rising prices for housing and utilities will continue to increase if inflation increases and resources such as gas and fresh water become limited.  Finally, the governmental assistance programs can only do so much because there are still many people who do not qualify for aid under their standards of neediness. Although the NY Times article says that the food stamps program is growing to make as many people who need help get it, it is still questionable as to whether it can succeed. The funding is limited and like Poppendieck pointed out, most families on food stamps still need outside sources to fill in the gaps. To solve the hunger problem, we must first solve the poverty problem, but with so many sources contributing to poverty, it is difficult to pinpoint a solution.

1. Is is worth the government and other assistance programs to provide more leeway in eligibility requirements if more needy people benefit than those few who take advantage?

2. Where does the solution begin?