Oregon is facing a predicament in feeding its population. Food insecurity for many families across the state has increased due to the economic crisis that was born from the recession that started in 2007. Hunger is a societal disease that inflicts the young and old alike. The symptoms and their affect can be seen in many institutions of our communities.
The prognosis for this sickness facing many Oregonians is not good, but it is definitely curable.We only need to accept the truth that people are going hungry next door and stand together and demand more from ourselves. Snow-CAP of Gresham has seen an increase in it assistance grow from 4000 to 10000 people since 2007 (Stine, M. 2011). Over 785,000 people in the state of Oregon are receiving food stamps, which is an increase of 60% over the last three years (Read, R.
2011). The Oregon Food Bank has for the first time distributed more than a million emergency food boxes to the needy, this represents a 30 percent increase since 2007 ( Hillsboro Argus, 2011).The combination of a statewide unemployment of 10 percent and increase of low wage workers has increased the amount of Oregonians living below the poverty line to approximately 500,000 (Hillsboro Argus, 2011). These numbers include record amount of children, giving Oregon the distinction of leading the nation in childhood hunger. The numbers have continuously grown over the last 4 years as more of the unemployed lose their benefits or join the ranks of the working poor.Many food banks depend receiving food from the government when they purchase excess agricultural products to support farm prices, but this subsidy is being cut back, which has many food bank managers worried (Read, R.
2011). As unemployment number’s increase and properties go into foreclosure, there has been a decrease in revenue for federal and state governments. These has caused a cutting back of funding for social programs, education, work assistance and food stamps in the time of their highest need, while giving large subsidies to corporations as they send jobs overseas.These policies have contributed the ever increasing problem of hunger facing Oregonians, but are a result of the beliefs of the culture that are in power.
There is a lack of awareness by the public of the vast number of people who face hunger every day. The number here in Oregon is sitting at 6 percent of the population that face food insecurity daily (Read, R. 2011). It will take educating the public to change their beliefs, so they can act in accordance to our values.
The dilemma of food insecurity and its continuous growth is a result of the political institution and the select groups that influence the policies. The ever growing gap in the haves and have not’s will only make this issue continue down the current path as most individuals feel they are powerless against the top 1 percent and their agenda. It will take a revolution by the people to make the changes in policy that focuses on creating jobs and improving education, so hunger becomes an extinct issue.
