Decmber 16, 2011--

The following editorial was written by State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga). If you have questions about this commentary, please contact Rep. Byrum at (517) 373-0587.

Celebrate the Holidays by Supporting Our Neighbors in Need

With the holiday season in full swing, efforts to give back to our community take on a special meaning. Many of us are fortunate to have a job that provides for our family, a house to come home to each night, food to eat, clothes to keep us warm and transportation to get to where we need to go. Now more than ever, we should give thanks every day to be so lucky.

Unfortunately, this terrible economy has caught up with many of our neighbors, friends and co-workers. Some have lost their jobs or even their homes, some must send their children out in the cold without the proper clothing and some go to bed hungry at night.

In fact, for every eight people in Michigan, at least one is at risk of hunger and lacks the resources to get the food they need – that translates to 1.2 million people across our state. Chances are someone you know is in this situation right now.

One of the best ways to support our community and help our neighbors in need is by supporting efforts to stock local food banks. By pitching in to fight hunger, you can help make sure the pantries of our neighbors stay full and that no one will have to choose between paying their utility bills and buying groceries.

You can help fight hunger by:

• • Collecting or donating food. Food banks rely on groups and individuals who conduct food drives.
  • Giving your time. Volunteers are always needed to sort food, hold food drives, pack pantry bags and serve meals.
  • Spreading the word. Remind your friends, neighbors and co-workers to help provide for people in need.
  • Making a monetary donation. The Food Bank Council of Michigan is a nonprofit organization and contributions are tax deductible.

I am continually proud to live in and represent a community that is grateful for all we have, even when we do not have very much. During the holidays and throughout the year, we must continue to count even the smallest of our blessings and support those less fortunate than ourselves.

I urge all of our residents to be active in these efforts to help those in need as we work to make it through these tough times and build a brighter, stronger Michigan for all of our families.

If you have questions about this or any other issue, please call me at (517) 373-0587 or e-mail me at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . My door is always open.

Ingham County is served by the Greater Lansing Food Bank and the Mid-Michigan Food Bank. For more information, please contact them at:

• Greater Lansing Food Bank: (517) 853-7800 or www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org
• Mid-Michigan Food Bank: (517) 702-3358 or www.midmichiganfoodbank.org

For more information on the Food Bank Council of Michigan, visit www.fbcmich.org