Once again the Food Bank of South Central Michigan is kicking its annual Spring Food Raiser into gear
with a variety of events over the next two months.

If you're fortunate enough not to worry about what you'll serve your family for dinner tonight, then consider the families in our community for whom that is a very real concern.

The Spring Food Raiser gives us all an opportunity to help provide food to people who often are struggling to keep a roof over the heads and the lights on, much less fill the cupboard.

The Food Bank distributes food and other items to more than 275 programs in eight counties. According to the Hunger in America 2006 study, the local Food Bank through its partner agencies served more than 92,000 individuals during the year.

Amid a bleak economy in which jobs are scarce, the need for food continues to mount. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices in January increased at an annual rate of nearly 5 percent. Eggs and whole milk prices skyrocketed, at annual rates of 36 percent and 29 percent respectively, according to the USDA.

Meanwhile, surplus commodities available through the USDA - which have helped food banks and other charities supplement their inventories since the 1980s - are decreasing as farmers are able to sell more of their products to emerging markets, such as China and India.

All of this leaves many families and the agencies who serve them with fewer resources available.

The Hunger in America 2006 study found that 43 percent of the local people surveyed had to choose between getting groceries or paying utility bills during the previous year. We doubt those statistics have improved since then.

That is why it is important that we all consider doing our part to help by supporting one or more of the Spring Food Raiser events, which include:

• Curves Food Drive through March 17. Take a bag of nonperishable food to any area Curves outlet and get a substantial discount on membership.

• Enquirer donation envelope in the Battle Creek Enquirer on Sunday, March 23. It's an easy way to send a donation to the Food Bank. Donations made during March and April will be supplemented by funds from the Feinstein Challenge.

• Felpausch Food Collection. Bins will be appearing soon in area Felpausch stores.

• Michigan Education Association Souper Kids food drives. They will be conducted in April at area schools.

• Canned Sculpture Exhibit April 19-May 4 at Lakeview Square, sponsored by Scene Magazine.

• Stuff the Bus with food. Re-Max Perrett will sponsor the event on Saturday, April 19, at the Pennfield Felpausch parking lot.

• Battle Creek Knights game April 26. Bring a nonperishable food item and be eligible to win prizes.

• Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger on May 10. The National Association of Letter Carriers will collect food door-to-door.

Even better than contributing to one of the Food Raiser events is volunteering your time on a regular basis.

The Food Bank welcomes volunteers, and has a particular need for experienced truck drivers willing to give their time. For more information, call Cheryl Proctor at the Food Bank at 964-3663 or e-mail her at cproctor@foodbankofscm.org.