Hunger takes no holidays
You've got Christmas in the distant rear-view mirror and spring, bless its gorgeous green heart, dead ahead.
You've got the legislative session wrapping up and hot primary elections gearing up.
You've got a national economy that's on the slow, slow rise, but it's not evident everywhere. In fact, it might not be evident at your neighbor's or even at your house.
Many residents expressed shock this week when The Press published a story about the sorry state of our food banks. Nobody should have been; it's a fairly common phenomenon. That giving spirit, which seems to snap out of slumber about the time of year Halloween candy is being purchased and ramps up right through the holiday season, tends to fizzle out like a wet New Year's Eve sparkler. So today, our food banks' cupboards aren't coming close to filling the needs of hundreds of hungry families.
Because this paper has proudly sponsored countless fundraisers over many, many years, we know better than most that generosity is one of our region's greatest assets. All we typically need to do is point out a need, and a host of good-hearted folks do the rest.
Well, here's a critical need. The giving season is not only not over, but it's extended - to 12 months a year. It's simply not acceptable that Kootenai County families, no matter their plight, should go hungry.
We urge you to call the major food bank nearest you to see how you can help. What do they need most? If you don't have money or spare food to give, can they use your help as a volunteer?
We also encourage individuals, families, businesses and church groups to set up monthly or even weekly food collection and donation programs to ensure our food banks are consistently adequately supplied.
Please, pitch in. Contact either of these excellent local agencies tomorrow to see what you can do:
* Community Action Partnership Food Bank, 4144 W. Industrial Loop, Coeur d'Alene, (208) 664-8757
* Post Falls Food Bank, 415 E. Third Ave., Post Falls, (208) 773-0139 or www.postfallsfoodbank.org