TOO many people don’t have enough to eat in the land of plenty. That’s a cold, hard, potentially painful fact…. The sad truth is that, because of a long, painful recession, many of those who face food insecurity on a day-to-day basis actually are living above the federal government’s poverty threshold. In fact, nearly half the American families that rely on food assistance have one or more employed adults in the household. …

The number of America’s legion of people facing episodes of hunger is staggering — more than 50 million Americans live in food-insecure households, including nearly 17 million children. Nearly 10 per cent of this nation’s senior citizens face almost chronic food insecurity. …

Fortunately, state and federal governments provide food safety nets … [but] there are gaps…. That’s where folks like Jan and Stu Bartleson come in. The Central Coast couple made headlines last week when they kicked off the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s annual turkey drive. The Bartlesons came through with 100 frozen birds, which is a decent start toward the Foodbank’s goal of collecting 2,500 to 3,000 frozen turkeys.

…Foodbank has been providing emergency food for individuals and families in distress for the past three decades, and the demand just keeps increasing from year to year. More than 145,000 people, families and seniors availed themselves of the Foodbank’s efforts last year. If you can’t provide a frozen turkey for Thanksgiving, the Foodbank can always use cash donations.

And that money can work miracles — the Foodbank can take a donated dollar and turn it into $7 worth of food, thanks to the bulk-buying concept and the discounts they get.

We’re entering a joyous season for most Americans — but not for all….—(Nov 9)