[Vision2020] Parents go hungry, too

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of today’s (July 21, 2018) Lewiston Tribune with thanks to Bev Bafus.

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Parents Go Hungry, Too

There are irresponsible parents - but they are a small minority of the parents of kids who are hungry. And you can be sure that if there are hungry kids, most of their parents are far hungrier.

The truth is a minimum wage job is not enough to keep everything together. Many parents face the choice of paying for rent, medical bills, car repairs, insurance, medicine or food. Rent is higher than ever before. Many people aren't covered by medical insurance - or what they have carries a huge deductible. Clothes, phone, internet - all are costs needed for people to look for jobs and keep them.

I grew up in the 1960s with very little food in the cupboard. My parents owned a business right there in downtown Lewiston. Just because someone looks like they might be successful does not mean that there is enough food.

What can you do about it? If you are a landlord, talk to your tenants. If they are struggling, reduce the rent. If you are an employer, talk to your employees. If they are struggling, raise their wages. If you live near a school, see if they have a food pantry. Contribute food to it. Or go in and pay off the lunch bills for struggling kids. If you have a bit of land, grow vegetables. Take them to the closest food pantry.

Simply stating that families should be broken up because our financial system is broken is a cop out. Help to solve the problem.

Bev Bafus
Moscow

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As Ellen Degeneres says . . . 

“Take care of yourselves . . . and each other.”

After all, one hand washes the other.

Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
    
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