Donations to Food Banks Down as More People Rely on Them for Meals

Mayor Mike McGinn is asking Seattle residents to step up and donate food, money and volunteer time to local food banks, which are buckling under the strain of more people to feed and fewer resources to feed them with: "In the last four years, Seattle food banks have seen a 30 percent rise in the number of clients coming to them for help," states a press release from McGinn's office today. "At the same time a new report on hunger and homelessness by the U.S. Conference of Mayors shows a 31 percent decline in the amount of food donations in the area."

The press release notes that the City of Seattle supports over half of the food banks in Seattle and the 2012 city budget preserves funding that delivers food to seniors, low-income, disabled, and homeless people. And The Stranger appreciates everyone who's donated to the Slog versus Gawker Holiday Charity Challenge—as Megan noted, you've cemented your status as an Awesome Person while raising over $15,645 for Northwest Harvest. (Every donation helps!)

But Northwest Harvest isn't the only food source out there and they're all hurting. So please: consider looking up your nearest food bank and donating your time, a few cans of food, or even a few dollars. The most needed food items include protein (canned tuna, chicken, peanut butter), canned fruits and vegetables, fruit juices, grains (pasta, rice, macaroni), meals in a can (canned stews, chili), soups (beef stew, chili, chicken noodle), and multigrain cereal (Cheerios, Cornflakes, Grapenuts, Raisin Bran).