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Food banks facing security issues
Northwest Cable News ^ | May 27, 2009 | Eric Wilkinson

Posted on 05/28/2009 11:52:27 AM PDT by matt1234

SEATTLE - Desperate times are calling for desperate measures at food banks around the area. Longer lines and shorter tempers are now forcing some facilities to hire security guards to keep people safe.

The need for increased security comes with food banks across the region seeing more people than ever before. Seattle’s Cherry Street Food Bank recently saw 2,651 people walk through their doors in a single day -- an all-time record.

“It's a problem with people wanting more than they get, and not getting what they think they deserve,” said Cherry Street security guard Ron Washington. “Then, they have an argument with the volunteers. That's when I step in and let the volunteers know it's not their problem.”

At food banks across our area, waits are getting longer, with people routinely lining up two hours or more before the doors open.

The Rainier Valley Food Bank has seen its number of food recipients double since last year. There have been scuffles here too, prompting staff to being on more volunteers to keep the lines moving and tensions to a minimum.

"Everything we're trying to do is to make sure people know there is food for them and to make the process fast respectful and positive,” said the Food Bank’s Laurie Thompson.

Food bank workers across the city believe part of the problem is the large influx of newcomers to the system who are out of their element.

“They're not used to talking to people with mental illness or who are homeless. There's drug addicted people in our lines as well,” said Matt Campbell of hunger relief agency Northwest Harvest.

Other contributing factors are language barriers, clashes among differing cultures, and an unfounded belief that there is not enough food to go around.

In the meantime, at least one Seattle food bank has now closed its meal program because of behavioral issues. The hope at other charities is that a heightened sense of security will keep desperate people from turning dangerous.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: food; hunger; wa; washinton
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1 posted on 05/28/2009 11:52:27 AM PDT by matt1234
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To: matt1234
Food banks facing security issues

A by-product of 0bama's "Hope and Change".

When we have to wait for hours in a line to get a loaf of bread, maybe the dimwits that voted for him will realize that his brand of fascist government is not the answer.

2 posted on 05/28/2009 11:55:41 AM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (Proud Veteran - Sworn to Defend The Constitution! - Caution: That makes me a Right-Wing Extremist.)
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To: The Sons of Liberty
A by-product of 0bama's "Hope and Change".

Beat me to it.

3 posted on 05/28/2009 11:57:05 AM PDT by bgill (The evidence simply does not support the official position of the Obama administration)
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To: matt1234

This is easy. They “deserve” nothing.


4 posted on 05/28/2009 11:58:25 AM PDT by Seruzawa (Obamalama lied, the republic died.)
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To: matt1234

Well, this will only get worse the further we descend into Obamanomics, but at least he will buy your gas and pay your mortgage while you’re in the foodbank line, right???


5 posted on 05/28/2009 11:59:35 AM PDT by GnuHere
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To: matt1234

“It’s a problem with people wanting more than they get, and not getting what they think they deserve,”

...here’s a great example of idiocy in America! Most of the dumasses agree that they should have more and deserve it. We’ve been “giving a man a fish” for so long that we’ll never escape the welfare mentality in this country. Don’t worry though folks! I’m sure there’s money in the “stimulous package” that will distribute Pop Tarts to these “starving” victims soon!


6 posted on 05/28/2009 11:59:45 AM PDT by albie
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To: The Sons of Liberty

I wouldn’t bet on it.

The ‘Bush’s fault’ lie became entrenched at almost a DNA level.


7 posted on 05/28/2009 12:02:51 PM PDT by Quix (POL Ldrs quotes fm1900 2 presnt: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2130557/posts?page=81#81)
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To: matt1234

So people here illegally are hostile because they are not getting free stuff in the quantities they deserve. OK.


8 posted on 05/28/2009 12:05:37 PM PDT by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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To: matt1234

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.


9 posted on 05/28/2009 12:07:05 PM PDT by taillightchaser (!)
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To: matt1234

In the depths of the Great Depression, people who lived near railroad tracks left their houses unlocked during the night so those who rode the rails could help themselves to food while the family slept upstairs. An elderly woman whose family did this told me that not one spoon was ever taken from their kitchen and the visitors usually washed their dishes before they left.

But that’s when the poor were civilized, knew the difference between right and wrong, and weren’t filled with hatred toward their fellow man.


10 posted on 05/28/2009 12:09:21 PM PDT by kittymyrib
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To: matt1234

It’s a problem with people wanting more than they get, and not getting what they think they deserve

with people wanting more, typical greedy losers Not to sound Rasist but sounds like Katrina crowd to me.


11 posted on 05/28/2009 12:09:58 PM PDT by bikerman (Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.)
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To: All

We are way behind in spring planting and carryover from last year is low.

Stockpile at least 1 month of food.


12 posted on 05/28/2009 12:10:17 PM PDT by staytrue
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To: matt1234

I haven’t heard the media complaining about the homeless.

This can’t be true. /sarcasm


13 posted on 05/28/2009 12:10:51 PM PDT by <1/1,000,000th%
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To: matt1234

If you build it, they will come. It’s been proven time after time after time after time. Anywhere there’s a free handout, the line winds ‘round the block. And they’re back for more the next day.

Shutter all of the Food Pantries and I’ll bet that this problem goes away, immediately. People might actually be MOTIVATED to get jobs to earn money to buy their own food.

Can’t hurt. Might help.

But then, what do I know? ;)


14 posted on 05/28/2009 12:13:07 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: GnuHere

When the gov’t checks are no longer valid,
just imagine the violence of the entitlement crowd...

BLOAT (if you can find any)


15 posted on 05/28/2009 12:13:25 PM PDT by MrB (Go Galt now, Bowman later)
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To: matt1234

Yawn....


16 posted on 05/28/2009 12:13:38 PM PDT by VaBthang4 ("He Who Watches Over Israel Will Neither Slumber Nor Sleep")
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To: staytrue

Is spring planting behind due to the never ending rain?


17 posted on 05/28/2009 12:14:42 PM PDT by TSgt (Extreme vitriol and rancorous replies served daily. - Mike W USAF)
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To: kittymyrib

Now they would probably murder you while you slept.


18 posted on 05/28/2009 12:15:28 PM PDT by kalee (01/20/13 The end of an error.... Obama even worse than Carter.)
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To: kittymyrib

Hobos sign for, "A kind lady lives here."

19 posted on 05/28/2009 12:16:22 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: The Sons of Liberty

at least in the Soviet Union, there was a certain civilized decency about the people waiting in bread lines. They were always orderly and well-mannered. With the several Me generations we have raised in this country, those bread lines are going to look like WWE cage death matches.


20 posted on 05/28/2009 12:17:18 PM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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