This is a sad statement of the quality of life in this country. We are a nation in decline which cannot offer its citizens what they need even to meet the basic needs for human dignity,

The worst part is that we are feeding so many other countries. Very sad and hyprcitical.

what is sad is the people that take advantage ot these services when they really dont need it. For example the person that is receiving SSI, getting food stamps and help on their rents, they are taking it away from someone that has a family that might have lost their job and is only getting unemploymement. These are the people we should be helping. Just like the the turkey dinners many get all these benefits, get turkey dinners, eat out on Thanksgiving like at the Manor. This is why I dont give, because their is a lot of abuse with the system going on. I have a friend that got 4 turkeys last year, she gets food stamps and help with rent and went oiut to eat on Thanksgiving, Imagine how many there are out there like that, and she bragged about it.

Yes JADE you got that right I've seen it with my own eyes An un-wed mother moved out of her appartment (Moving) and left all her food..I said: You going to take your food with you? She relied no I can get more I have alot of food stamps and I can get more from the food pantrys/ She left behind about $200.00 worth of food because she was to lazy to pack it up. She also got free housing, heat, lights etc also she was allowed to have her boyfriend live with her and he had no job but receieved extra food stamps for himself.

real homeland security = food not bombs

i agree with you jade, its sad, seen it happened and witnessed it also.

jade and Farmer, I also know of abuses. It is especially disheartning to see people exit the local food bank , set their bags of food down and light up a cigarette. Contrary to what a lot of liberals think, greed comes in all classes. The local food cupboards should be for folks truly in need and down on their luck.......and should not be "raided" by those who have the if it's "free" it's for me attitude.

.

This year I did not donate to any of the Thanksgiving food charities opting instead to extend a little help and assistance to people that I KNOW for sure are truly struggling, would not ask for help, and still have their pride and are working .

Up at the crack of dawn to brag about not helping people.

That's the America you want?

Ladyslipper re 6:00 am. Why on God's earth are you staking out the local food bank??!! Pathtic. Just pathetic.

I agree that it is horrible that the system can be so abused. But it is also horrible that those who need the system and follow the rules are painted with the same brush as those who abuse it. In fact, people who need help, once they have swallowed their pride enough to ask for it, may rather choke on that pride and starve rather than ever ask for anything again after having been so prejudged. And speaking as a former welfare 'queen' who followed the rules and went to school, I should expound on the life of luxury I led supporting myself and my infant on $363 cash and $280, per month. And no, no husband or boyfriend. He threatened to slit my throat when confronted with impending fatherhood. I chose to be a different kind of statistic.

Many people face unexpected circumstances. There is no one cause for them, and no one thing to blame. Helping people is admirable so long as they take responsibilty for their actions. Continuing welfare aid to a woman who simply gets pregnant again anytime her aid threatens to run out is horribly wrong. I've seen it too. Too bad we don't have mandatory sterilization. But assuming every single mother on welfare is making a career out of it is wrong. Assuming everyone that is unemployed is lazy is damn wrong, especially in this economy. The worst thing any of us can do now is assume anything about anyone else's circumstances, unless they are in the process of mugging us or are currently burglarizing our homes.

I can only wish that health and human services departments would pause for a a second to take a good look at what they are doing. If a woman on welfare gets a part time job, should you reduce her aid to the point that she can't afford to work and must go back on welfare to survive? If someone shows a pattern of coming up with excuses or more kids to get more benefits, shouldn't there be a serious cut-off point? If a family is stuggling, though they make too much money 'on paper' to get food stamps, couldn't you ignore the paper and look at the reality to get them what they need? Could we not just insert a little pragmatism in the process?

In fact, why isn't there a pragmatism political party? Oh yes...Pragmatic politics, oxymoron. If you would feed the hungry, don't just give them food. Keep talking about it until they have all starved to death and the problem is gone.

MaineSurvivor, I pass by our local foodbank every Sat AM while on my Daily 5-7 mile walk with my 2 dogs....any more questions?

.

markko did you fully read the 2nd paragraph of my 6 AM post?

Hey, I didn't name names... If you saw yourself in my post, then Happy Thanksgiving to you.

First you call welfare recipients leeches and then say that according to you (on a case by case basis) you get to decide who is needy and who is not. You, to paraphrase an old pal, are the "decider" about complete strangers needs. You know the abusers from the people who really need it. You are the judge, eh?

Fair enough, if that's what you want to do... but you should probably be told that it just sounds bad.

the worst part is people going who don't need to go, but don't want the ones who need it getting a head of them.

Yes, that is bad benoddway, but how common is this?? It sounds like you have seen it with your own eyes.

Judging by the size of the women in those photos it appears not many have gone hungry for very long!

A lot of fatties on food stamps, same fatties on Maine care. I'm getting tired of paying taxes for freeloaders.

Think about this. Let's say we had the funds to fully resource twenty more 'food pantrys'. What would happen? How about a hundred? Would demand decrease. No - they'd all be jammed with people.

If you subsidize something, you'll see more of it. This goes for milk (prices are dropping, there is more milk than people want), unemployment, and....food pantrys.

I too give to people I KNOW, not the unknown scammers.

Charity is given in good will, and if I don't at least get good will in return I don't give.

And I give A LOT away.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you insensitive jerks that don't think this can happen to them! Just read the above posts and you'll know who they are.

Exactly MaineSurvivor2.

jimbastion, if you only give to people that give you goodwill in return and you give "A LOT" why do you still seem so bitter and angry.

Something doesn't add up.

And any doctor will tell you that the most obese people are usually among the poorest as well. They eat cheap foods (read processed and refined sugars and starches and fats) all their lives and either cannot afford better, fresher, healthier (more expensive) foods or never learned how.

All of you guys who usually whinge about seeing people paying for Little Debbies, TV dinners and soda with food stamps might consider the above fact next time you judge.

Happy Thanksgiving anyway.

Is there any kind of residency requirement for these people? I've heard it said that some people are given bus tickets to Bangor from out of state. If that's true, that's a problem. Not to be mean, but we got our own problems in Maine. Give them a meal and put them back on the bus.

These Thanksgiving pantries stuffed full of turkeys and pies are great, but what do people who rely on them do the other 364 days of the year?

Articles will be written,statements will be made, and the truth will be ignored,mostly by those who can but wont lend a helping hand,and by the people in in government who are financially set, thanks to the public they take from, how about giving back a little of that fat yearly income so that there could be better emergency supplies for people in need,how about creating more jobs, to generate revenue, or better yet, how about trying to keep businesses in our own country let alone our own states, what about the better use of stimulus money. With unemployment at approx 17% how in the name of God can peole enjoy the American dream,or better yet,survive to even relate to a part of it. It is true that there are leeches on society and people that have the "It's all about me " attitude,and don't give a rats A-- about anyone else, but a lot of families are victims of the never ending struggle for survival, and it IS up to each and everyone of us to help where we can, (DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU) and as for those who abuse the system, and are trying to consistantly feed their own needs at the expense of others,well...ther needs to be a tighter control on welfare,ADC and allocations of food stamps and people taking advantage of what should be available for those in need NOT those who have and want more. I for one see no reason why ,with monies like a portion of the state lotteries, funding monies from government allocations,donations from the wealthy. Sad but true ,the system is what it is, and all the positive and negative statements will never be reviewed or dealt with unless there is someone in Maines own governmental bodies that takes a hard look at what good as well as what bad is going on in the state, and deal with it on an individual basis. On a brighter note, there is a lot of good going on in various communities, around the state of Maine, and the people responsible desreve a pat on the back and recognition for their efforts, BUT....they can't cure the problem alone.......when there is a problem of this magnitude with people going hungry churches, (and they are) as well as civic centers need to help with programs to feed the needy. This is a serious epidemic of people needing help, and it needs to be dealt with soon. make an effort to make a difference, turn negatives into positives, give from the heart, you wouldn't want to be in their shoes.And in closing remember.....a lot of these great people didn't ask to be unemployed,in need of a helping hand or a burden on society.....AUGUSTA ARE YOU LISTENING, OR READING THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS ??? Happy thanksgiving to all....and God bless those less fortunate than I.......

I guess ((( David889327 )))

If France`s attitude had been the same way back in the Day

AS yours IS Today<<

During the American Revolution

You mite not be here to make YOUR unsympathetic statements TODAY<<

For DAvid you For Sure are NOT an American Patriot <

After the HOlidays

I have got to start searching the Countries News Paper Comments

And Find a Place where there are NOT anywhere near SO many Bigots

And then Move there

Nay, That would Make MOVETHEN way to Happy

And I live and breath to DO just Visa Versa<<

Food is UP God Speed to ALL of Us<<

Until people demand accountability from our government these lines will be longer every year.

There is enough money being sent to Augusta each year to build this economy so that stories like these don't have to be continually written.

Sadly, I am struck by the fact that poor masses of people translate into reliable votes for some of our politicians.

ElectraGlide,

Were you involved in any drug experiments in the Army, that you can recall?

I drive by the soup kitchen in Bangor twice a day, meaning I also drive by Hollywood slots and it really fries my butt to watch people walk from the slots to the food kitchen.

I'm going to be brutally honest here:

Firstly if the homeless and "ailing" people of bangor would perhaps not buy so much alcohol/drugs to support their "habit" and get treatment then maybe they'd be able to find work. I saw a recent picture on the BDN of a couple in the "Pines" area of Bangor wherein one man was drunk from drinking vodka and sunny d. That alone could pay for electric! What we need is people to understand that life is > alcohol - albeit a very important one to myself.

Also for the people who can't afford thanksgiving - find a job. Get a better one.

Smoking and drinking/drugs are addictions. people with those addictions still need to eat. would you rather them starve and die? what if they were your family? people can't just quit that easily. they also might have mental health issues that are untreated. addiction is a brain disease-some have more severe forms than others and dont' get better right off.

we can't pick and choose who is served-how humiliating that would be to go to a foodbank and have them try to turn you away becuase you didn't have proof of how poor you are or how deserving you are. there is abuse in any system no matter what-it is what it is-these programs help the majority of people and are so important to have in place.

we should thank the people that are so kind to donate and serve those that need it-rather than criticize the consumers. have a heart!

I work at a Hannaford Supermarket and all of our product that Is going out of date is given to places like Manna and by the looks in the photo the Seeds of Hope food pantry and I have spoken to the people that come to collect our carts FULL of food from the deli, meat, seafood and bakery departments ( they collect from all the Hannafords in the area) and when people go to get the food from these places they are asked for a "small" donation of say $2 and I was told that they very rarely ever even get that, for this donation or lack there of they are given free range to take from each area (they are given salads, sandwiches, cheese, meats, donuts , fish, cakes, breads etc...) but are only allowed to take so much from each table, but even the people who collect from us every morning are frustrated with the fact that the main people that are using this do not need it, but can't even come up with a small amount of money to help pay for the bills that are run up by the gas of driving to all 5 hannafords in the area to get food for them, and the cost of renting the building so that they can get their "free" food! I see on a daily basis just how much food we donate to these places and it sickens me that there are people who really need it and are not getting it because of the selfish people taking it when they do not need it there for not leaving any for the people who are really in need of it! When I go back to work on Friday I will have at least 3 carts of food to give to them as we are closed today and almost everything on the shelves will be going out of date, I wish that I personallly could take it to the people that I know who really need and deserve it not the scum living off the state not paying rent (state paid), getting at least $200 in food stamps, get cash balance card, and all the other "help" they receive, but they will be the first ones lining up to get the free food! LOSERS!!!!! Customers complain that we are not like Shaws and Walmart and mark our day old products down for them to buy but we are trying to do the right thing and help the less fortunate just to bad it is taken advantage of!!!

Also some night around 5pm just drive by one of the soup kitchens in the area and you will be amazed at the nice new vehicles that are in the parking lot, just getting a free meal so they don't have to buy food , they can now spend their money on drugs or alcohol! It just angers me and makes me sick to my stomach knowing that their are people out there not having the meal they need because some loser that does not need it got theirs!!!!

I only hope that those less fortunate can at least have a Happy Thanksgiving!!! Every one else I hope you also have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tele,

You are one mean, tough bass turd.

Mainelymoi

The way to get people off public assistance is NOT to make their lives easier in it, but to make it uncomfortable or teach them something. If they refuse to change, cut them off.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP FEED THE "FOOD INSECURE" HERE IS A SUGGESTION:

Unless you've been hungry for more than a few hours, you don't know what homeless people struggle with every day. They never know how or when they'll eat their next meal. Hunger affects their ability to concentrate and function, making it more difficult for them to find ways to help themselves. Follow these steps to help them.

Instructions

1.

Pack an extra sandwich in your lunch and give it to someone on the street. This is the most personal way to feed them. Homeless people enjoy the nurturing that comes from homemade food just as much as anyone.

2.

Order extra food at lunch or dinner and ask that the waitress wrap it up. Make sure you've got extra eating utensils; then give the meal to the first homeless person you see. While not as personal as offering homeless people homemade food, it's a nourishing hot meal that will quiet hunger pangs for a few hours.

3.

Find out where there are food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens. The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program has a list of organizations who feed the homeless.

4.

Locate the organizations, churches and agencies that provide food for the homeless and type these on sheets of paper to distribute to homeless people.

5.

Donate non-perishables to food pantries and food banks. Make an effort to buy some every week and make a trip with your children so they understand that not everyone has a full refrigerator.

6.

Give money to local pantries and organizations such as America's Second Harvest, which partners with businesses to feed homeless people.

7.

Give your time to organizations that feed the homeless. Pick up food donations if you've got access to a car. Make meals if you like to cook. Serve the food if you like to interact with people.

Tips & Warnings

• When feeding people on the street with prepared foods, choose high calorie proteins that are filling. Vegetables and fruit will give them vitamins and minerals that are hard for them to get.

• Don't give money directly to homeless people. You might be supporting a substance abuse habit. Either feed them directly or tell them where they can be fed.

Goods luck and thanks for being an American and helping to make a difference.......:-)

Can't post here, the left is too far left, and the right is too far right. I like a more moderate board.

They have taken over Harry......

Not to many in the middle like me....

A moderate is the same as a liberal which is the same as a Communist.

test

My daughter and her husband are both full time college students with no children, and work part time during the school year, and full time in the summer. They applied for food stamps for the school year, and were denied. She was told if she were an unwed mother, there would be lots of tax payer provided services available, but since they are married and are trying to better themselves and need a little help temporarily, too bad. I buy them groceries every other week to help them. Once she has graduated next May and no longer needs my assistance, I'm going to think long and hard before ever donating to "needy people" again. Seems you're only needy in the state's eyes if you're an unwed mother. Maybe they should give out birth control along with the food stamps. Back in the day, being an unwed mother was shameful, now girls intentionally get pregnant whenever they want, knowing that you and I as taxpayers will be supporting them. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

I'm sure the Catholic Church has been donating much more generously during this trying holiday. They had plenty of resources to spend on Yes on 1, so they *must* have plenty to take care of the flock they love so much.

Well said Kerr Dubh. Unfortunately, there will always be some abuse within help organizations...More stringent required proof of need might weed out some of that just provides more embarrassment to those truly in need. I would rather have a few people take advantage of the program than discourage those that really need the help.

I really feel for those that experience unexpected hardship. Peopel "in the system" usually know where to turn but people who are not used to getting handouts often just don't know what to do or will resist doing so until there is no other choice. Isn't part of Christian charity the act of treating these individuals with respect? So, I'll grit my teeth and serve the 20 taking advantage if it means being able to help the other 80.