State's food help comes at key time

We were delighted to read your Jan. 1 editorial regarding Illinois' new Food for Families Program. The $1 million provided by the State of Illinois arrives at a critical time for food banks. As noted, a decline in food from federal sources has left shelves empty at food banks and the pantries they serve. Meanwhile, increasing numbers of hungry people are turning to our network to help make ends meet. And pantries around the state are being forced to turn people away --and in some cases close their doors -- because of the shortage. The Food for Families Program is a comprehensive, statewide response that will help alleviate this problem.

Hunger is a suburban issue as much as it is an urban and rural issue. The members of the Illinois Food Bank Association include the eight America's Second Harvest food banks that serve individuals and families in every community in our state. And, increasingly, we also see working families turn to us for assistance: 40 percent of the households we serve include a working adult.

Area food banks are especially appreciative of the Daily Herald's support through programs like the Giving Garden. It's community support like this that enables us to serve hundreds of thousands of people each year. Every donation of a dollar, a can of food or an hour of volunteer time makes a difference for the hungry.

Katherine R. Maehr

Executive Director

Greater Chicago Food Depository

H. Dennis Smith

Executive Director

Northern Illinois Food Bank