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. Seattles 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 Banks 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.
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.
Beat me to it.
This is easy. They “deserve” nothing.
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???
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!
I wouldn’t bet on it.
The ‘Bush’s fault’ lie became entrenched at almost a DNA level.
So people here illegally are hostile because they are not getting free stuff in the quantities they deserve. OK.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
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.
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.
We are way behind in spring planting and carryover from last year is low.
Stockpile at least 1 month of food.
I haven’t heard the media complaining about the homeless.
This can’t be true. /sarcasm
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? ;)
When the gov’t checks are no longer valid,
just imagine the violence of the entitlement crowd...
BLOAT (if you can find any)
Yawn....
Is spring planting behind due to the never ending rain?
Now they would probably murder you while you slept.
Hobos sign for, "A kind lady lives here."
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.
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