America in decline: 1 in 7 Kentuckians now rely on food banks

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America in decline: 1 in 7 Kentuckians now rely on food banks

Source: www.naturalnews.com

The U.S. economy, despite rosy characterizations by President Obama recently, is still abysmal for far too many Americans who are still struggling to make ends meet, put food on the table and remain in their homes — a condition that will only worsen with the president’s recent executive amnesty, “legalizing” millions of illegal aliens.

Some of the country’s historically poor states — many of them in the South — have been especially hard-hit, as a recent report from Kentucky points out. Local station WKYT in Lexington says that not only has hunger remained a “huge issue” in the state — one food pantry says one-in-seven Kentuckians are receiving food assistance from any number of charities — but it is even a problem on the state’s college campuses.

“Recently, two food pantries opened in a place you might not expect, a college campus[.] As WKYT’s Amber Philpott found out the rising cost of getting an education is causing some college students to go hungry,” the station’s news team reported.

Campus food banks helping feed students within days of opening

One such charity is called God’s Pantry Food Bank, and increasingly the establishment is seeing its clientele rise.

“Here in Kentucky God’s Pantry Food Bank is currently reaching out to 190,000 unique individuals annually in the 50 counties that we serve,” Marian Guinn, CEO at God’s Pantry Food Bank, told the local station.

What’s more, you can no longer stereotype those who are hungry; it is now a phenomenon in all walks of life.

That includes institutions of higher learning — even the University of Kentucky (UK) — as well as Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Richmond. Rising tuition costs — also a worsening problem — coupled with fewer job opportunities, has led to more and more students seeking out help to provide for their food needs.

“What happens is they make that large sum payment for tuition, room and board and there is not much money left over for the other essentials to be here,” Dr. Mike Reagle, Associate VP for Campus Life at EKU, told WKYT.

Reagle went on to say that studies are indicating that one in six students attending EKU have most likely gone hungry at some point. So, in October, the Colonel Cupboard, another food bank, opened to try to lower that statistic.

“Often times we will get a referral about a student and we will then contact that student and just ask if this is something we can help them with,” said Reagle.

The Colonel Cupboard is stocked 100 percent via donations from several student groups as well as faculty members. Students who are in need of food support are given a food box containing six to 10 meals and already, in its first few weeks, the pantry has helped more than 20 students….MORE HERE

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/047906_food_banks_hunger_poverty.html#ixzz3LFxAB79j

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America in decline: 1 in 7 Kentuckians now rely on food banks