To the Editor:
The Sentinel has more than its fair share of good photographers. Some of whom create very informative
photoessays. Such was the story completed by Shane Hughes on Local Families Helped by the Food Pantry on
July 3.
In this particular story, Hughes not only took outstanding photos of six families who use the Christian
Food Pantry, but also included background and comments from individual family members.
In some essays, an author offers conclusions; in this case, Hughes did not. He allowed the readers to
draw their own conclusions. I would like to offer some of my thoughts on this particular article.
First, food pantries (there are two others in Bowling Green) serve a vital service in our town and larger
society, they offer assistance to people who are down on their luck. They provide a more compassionate
community. Although I wish we did not need food pantries, I am glad we have them.
Second, people who use food pantries (and food stamps) are very much like those who don’t use them. Like
you and me. They work, they have dreams, they worry, they have wishes. One of the interviewees said it
best: "people who use the pantries are "regular people." They are not crack addicts on
the street…"it’s your neighbors that are living paycheck to paycheck."
Third, the people interviewed for this story do not want to be dependent on food pantries and food
stamps. Most have a job or are retired. It’s just that their job does not pay enough to guarantee food
independence. One gentleman who works at Wood Lane (and receives $15 a month in food stamps) also
scavenges dumpsters to find essentials. I can’t imagine what that must be like. No one in this affluent
society should have to search dumpsters so as to not go hungry.
Lastly, what is amazing is that none of these individuals indicated any bitterness or jealousy.
We live in a society where as recent as 2012, 49 million Americans (including 15.9 million children) live
with food insecurity. Ohio has a higher rate of food insecurity than the national average. We live in a
society where people working full-time at minimum wage are still below the poverty line. We can do
better.
I am thankful for the photographers (and writers) at the Sentinel who keep us grounded in reality. Keep
up the great work!
Jim Litwin
Bowling Green