Emergency Food Relief – A Response to Capitalism’s InequitiesHunger advocates throughout the world are mourning the death of John Van Hengel,founder of the modern food bank. In 1967, Van Hengel persuaded food businesses todonate surplus goods to the soup kitchen where he volunteered. When the soup kitchenreceived more food than it could use, they redistributed it to other communityorganizations. His idea grew into America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network, the nexus for over 200 food banks and food rescue organizations thatcollectively distribute 1.941 billion pounds of food to 23 million Americans in 2004.This is an honorable endeavor, given the tremendous over-production and over-consumption of food and other products in the United States.Food banks are large warehouses that distribute food to 501c(3) nonprofit organizationswithin a specific geographic region. Organizations that receive product from food banks,called member agencies, include food pantries, which provide food directly to people inneed, soup kitchens, after school programs, senior centers, and residential treatmentcenters. In addition to food distribution, many food banks engage in complementaryactivities such as culinary training, grassroots organizing, and advocacy.Food producers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers utilize the food bank network todispose of products that cannot be sold on the market. Donated food products includeoverruns, discontinued products, seasonal foods, food with damaged packaging, perishable food approaching the sell by date, and aging produce. In exchange for their contribution, donors receive a tax write-off and, usually, good publicity. Hundreds of corporations donate cash or products to America’s Second Harvest and its local affiliates.According to America’s Second Harvest’s 2005 Annual Report, Altria Group, Inc.,ConAgra Foods, Kraft Foods, Inc., The Kroger Co., and The Pampered Chef, Ltd., madethe largest financial contributions in 2004 (between 1,000,0001 and 9,999,999 each).Many individuals and community groups also donate food and/or money to the food bank network. Through food drives, groups including the National Association of Letter
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