What have you noticed?

I ask the question that is the blog title because some things that are happening that might lead to more people needing their emergency supplies (of which they hopefully have many) are happening around our state.

Personally, sometime recently I went out to a store that used to be opened until 10:00 PM to see what their prices were on a needed purchase. I arrived to find an empty parking lot, and found upon driving past the front of the store that they are now only open until 9:00 PM. Since I don't make such trips often, that isn't that big of a deal to me, but it probably has a pretty negative cumulative effect on someone's paycheck who hypothetically could lose 5-6 hours a week off their paycheck if that used to be their shift. Even (or especially) at minimum wage, that kind of cut would hurt...

In the news, there are other things to consider, such as:

--In this article, we can read about how more families are struggling, leading to more children needing assistance in the form of school meals. This quote, found in the article,

“There are still a good number of families we know that are either trying to push by or are too proud,” said Doug Wordell, director of nutrition services for Spokane schools. “There are a lot of barriers, pride issues, economic and social pressures that are keeping families from participating.”

leaves out one option that may be in play if people aren't participating but appear to be struggling. The families to which the quote refers could quite possibly be using their food storage or emergency supplies which they had put aside in order to continue to provide for their families. If this is the case, I don't call such families proud. I call them responsible and wise for having had the foresight to put something aside for hard times. It is impossible to know, of course, but non-participation doesn't mean that the motivation for not participating is a negative one.

--In the "do you want the good news or the bad news first" category, there is this article, which discusses a food drive that went better than expected. (OK, I made an executive decision to tell you the good news first... :) Some of the bad news can be found in this paragraph:

"Area food banks estimate that 25,000 people within the four-state region of Idaho, Washington, Montana, and Oregon seek assistance each week. Compounding this year's 30% increase in demand for food is a 38% drop in donations from corporate food producers who are increasingly clearing out merchandise through dollar stores and discount outlets. The campaign this year was critical because it increased post holiday contributions, which traditionally decline in January and February while food bank demands remain high."

Wish that food bank demands didn't remain so high. And that it was only necessary this year. However, according to the article:

"In a perfect world, we'd only have to do this once," said Tom Harris, "but we're already gearing up for next year's campaign. We may even need to bring in a CAT 773 to carry all of the donations."

In a nutshell: Good news = lots of donations. Bad news = lots of need, with a forecast that the need will continue.

---Newspapers are hurting big time, from what I understand, and just one example of cutting down on newspaper production/ delivery that I have heard of can be found in this article. While,

"For now, editors say they do not anticipate lay-offs in the newsroom",

I can only surmise that hours and thus wages will be cut significantly for many people involved. I have noticed in the local paper that there are hardly any job listings, and the paper has gotten thinner and thinner as time has gone on.

So what have you noticed that could increase the need for emergency food storage and supplies? I heard, rather than saw, a person mention on the TV, I believe, that his job was secure. Don't know what that job was, but losing employment is only one incidence in which someone might need to use emergency provisions. Having been to the store lately and seen prices that are getting higher, I can think of at least one more reason that I'm glad that I have already started to get some food storage in. Always trying to improve the supplies, and finding more reasons to do so all the time, unfortunately...