The last time I spoke with my pals at Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, food stocks were sufficient to need, though they were stockpiling long-life non-perishables in anticipation of greater demand from South Louisiana families impacted by the oil hell.

Yesterday, the Times-Picayune reported that donations had fallen, and that Second Harvest was no longer able to support the independent United Churches of Algiers food bank on the west bank of the river.

Read these three opening paragraphs. Please:

With just 21 jars of baby food left on its shelves, the United Churches of Algiers food bank has closed until further notice, Director Sheila Riviore said. The food bank, located in the city of New Orleans' Arthur Monday Center at 1111 Newton St. in Old Algiers, served its last five customers for the time being Thursday morning. Food ran out before the 15 people still waiting in the hall could be served, Riviore said. "People are coming to our door for help, and we're not able to help,'' Riviore said.

This community has been so remarkably supportive of New Orleans, especially our Second Harvest chapter. I'm sorry I keep pestering y'all about this, but the need in the community has expanded much more quickly than anticipated, and will continue to grow as the economic effects of the "spill" ripple outward.

If you can, please consider a donation--any size--to Second Harvest of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. I've bumped in what I can and I know anything you can do will be deeply appreciated.

Hunger, real, gut-hurting hunger, is a terrible thing to live with, a monster that torments millions in America. Help lay that monster down.

Thanks.

A small, late-night update:

Damn you all. I'm an old, crusty, curmudgenly, implacable man. I've turned my back on all the suffering in the world. What right have you to make me cry this way?

Thank you from depths I've done my best to forget. Never, ever stop trying to make things better for your fellows. This is the difference between the last three centuries and the rest of our history.

There are not enough languages to say "Thank you."