“We opened with the vision of going out of business one day” 27 years later and…

Hello everyone,

Today I officially started my practice experience at the Alameda County Community Food Bank. I went through an orientation for the second time and even though I heard the same exact things it still amazes me. Like last time the volunteer coordinator starts off with few data such as: the food bank serve more than 49,000 people a week including 21,000 children and they serve 1 out of 6 people in the county. However the most important part was when she said “We opened with the vision of going out of business one day”. I have read the statement many times before, for it’s the foundation which the food bank started on. What struck me this time is the fact that the food bank has been around for 27 years. The demand for it increased and according to the data it keeps on increasing.

Here there are two issues that popped into my mind:  

First, responsibility and accountability; how much is too much? The food bank is working to fill in the gap where the state has failed i.e. Cal Fresh –and other programs. According to one of the staff working at the food bank the food stamps program has been cut into half –actually three times if you count with the inflation- since the mid 80’s. If those programs where sufficient people wouldn’t have been looking somewhere else for food. The food bank relies heavily on volunteering –people from the Alameda county community. The staff were very appreciative and glad for the support, but I was thinking how much of it is the community’s responsibility and how much is it the state?

Second, how long will it actually take for the food bank to go out business? According to an article by the NBC Bay Area, the network of distributors – which originally get their supply from the Alameda food bank- are facing “barriers” to expand their capacities. At one point they will need to reduce the number of food assistance recipients. Not only there is a growing need but also a shortage that is not being met by the programs. It's an issue that's expanding year after year.

How long will this continue? Whose responsibility is it?...

Questions that keep bouncing in my head. How much will this practice experience feed my curiosity, I just have to stick around and see.

one quote ,I wanted to share with you, that was echoing during the orientation“I must do something… [better] than [saying] something must be done…” When there is no solution you better make one yourself.

 

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Food-Bank-Study-Reveals-Growing-Need-for-Community-Support-192356441.html