Report: 1 in 6 Children Go Hungry

A new report says nearly one in six Georgia children live on the brink of hunger and the number is growing. The report is by Feeding America, a national network of food banks. Looking at data from 2005 to 2007, the report found more than 450,000 children in Georgia are food insecure - that is, unable to consistently access adequate amounts of nutritious food that is necessary for a healthy life. The food insecurity data shows an increase in Georgia when compared to USDA data collected between 2004 and 2006.

(Associated Press)

Charity Battling Donor Fatigue, Obama Inauguration

A 38-year-old charity that supplies food to Atlanta's poorest residents has decided to go forward with an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day dinner despite lowered donations and many volunteers leaving town for the presidential inauguration.

Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless organizers told The Associated Press Wednesday that a lack of donations - including corporate gifts of hams and turkeys - meant the dinner wouldn't take place. Spokeswoman Dee Dee Cocheta later got word that a donation of hams would come through after all. Combined with a modest gift of 216 turkeys Tuesday, it's enough to let the dinner go on.

But the group still faces a struggle. Organizers say many of the staff who would have worked at the dinner will be in Washington for the inauguration.

In related news, President-elect Barack Obama says the inauguration is about more than him, and that it should be about getting all Americans involved in community service.

Obama said Wednesday that his Jan. 20 inauguration should bring the country together to volunteer. He says if everyone rolls up their sleeves, the county will improve. Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families will volunteer in the Washington area
Jan. 19.

Obama's aides have posted thousands of volunteer opportunities on a Web site, USAService.org.

(AP)

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Carrolton food initiative wants to feed more

An innovative food initiative in west Georgia looks to expand after its successful trial run over the summer.

Several groups hope to expand the community garden project to provide food for charitable organizations.

Organizer Mike Gilroy is project director for a sustainable-agriculture educational program called The Growers School.

Gilroy and other members of the West Georgia Community Food Initiative worked to create the Buffalo Creek Community Food Project.

By the time all of the summer crops had been harvested, the garden yielded more than 1,000 pounds of fresh produce for the Carroll County Emergency Shelter.

Shelter director Martha Boyce says the fresh produce the shelter received provided great relief over the summer to those in need.

Besides Gilroy, members of the West Georgia Community Food Initiative include representatives from groups such as the Carroll County Cooperative Extension Office, the Carroll County Master Gardeners, the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and others.

(AP)

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