Spring Break
RI economy prompts need for increased resources
Hilary Brady
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: News
12/04/08 - With state unemployment climbing to 9.3 percent, many Rhode Islanders are having trouble making ends meet. This, coupled with the approaching holiday season, is putting new stress on families and community resources trying to help them.
"As the economy continues to struggle, there are Rhode Islanders losing their jobs," Michael Cerio, communication manager at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, said. "People have less resources to make ends meet."
As a result, many people have to make the crucial decision of what is most important and are forced to choose between paying for heating bills and purchasing groceries.
"The working class people are finding their way to the food banks," Cerio said. "The lines at the food bank are longer" than years past, he said.
The problem has become far-reaching. According to the Food Bank, 11 percent of Rhode Island households have problems affording food. This affects 115,000 people statewide, and 40,000 of those people are children.
The North Kingstown Food Pantry has also seen a distinct increase in people needing assistance getting food.
"It's roughly 35 percent to 40 percent higher than last year," Bonnie Smith, the director of the food pantry, said.
"When food stamps come out so early in December, that has to last until February," she said, and it is oftentimes impossible for families. "I see January and the rest of the winter as being pretty horrendous."
Generally, the holiday season does mark a distinct increase in food donations.
"That's when people's hearts are open," Smith said.
However, even with increased donations, the food shelters are still struggling to provide for their clients. "Food is leaving just as fast as it comes in," Cerio said.
"Giving will drop down tremendously in January," Smith said. "Mid-January and February is when you really find that it's getting hard."
Along with increased food shortages comes a distinct rise in homelessness.
"As the economy continues to struggle, there are Rhode Islanders losing their jobs," Michael Cerio, communication manager at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, said. "People have less resources to make ends meet."
As a result, many people have to make the crucial decision of what is most important and are forced to choose between paying for heating bills and purchasing groceries.
"The working class people are finding their way to the food banks," Cerio said. "The lines at the food bank are longer" than years past, he said.
The problem has become far-reaching. According to the Food Bank, 11 percent of Rhode Island households have problems affording food. This affects 115,000 people statewide, and 40,000 of those people are children.
The North Kingstown Food Pantry has also seen a distinct increase in people needing assistance getting food.
"It's roughly 35 percent to 40 percent higher than last year," Bonnie Smith, the director of the food pantry, said.
"When food stamps come out so early in December, that has to last until February," she said, and it is oftentimes impossible for families. "I see January and the rest of the winter as being pretty horrendous."
Generally, the holiday season does mark a distinct increase in food donations.
"That's when people's hearts are open," Smith said.
However, even with increased donations, the food shelters are still struggling to provide for their clients. "Food is leaving just as fast as it comes in," Cerio said.
"Giving will drop down tremendously in January," Smith said. "Mid-January and February is when you really find that it's getting hard."
Along with increased food shortages comes a distinct rise in homelessness.
