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| Drop off your donations at the display on the first floor of Van Wylen. |
Van Wylen Library is currently hosting a drive to benefit Community Action House, a local agency that seeks to break the poverty cycle by encouraging self-sufficiency through empowerment programs. Community Action House provides a variety of social services to individuals and families throughout the Holland area.
Domestic poverty continues to be an issue in today’s society, affecting more and more people each year. According to sociologists Mark R. Rank and Thomas A. Hirchl, most Americans will at some time live at least one year below the poverty line. More information about the issue of domestic poverty can be found in a CQ Researcher article on the topic, or in Van Wylen’s collection. If you’d like to delve into the issue of hunger and food relief in the US, Van Wylen has resources in its collection to help with your research.
As a recent article in the Holland Sentinel asserts, the need for food is greater than ever. This year, the demand for food from CAH is much higher than normal, as more than 200 people a day (50 more than usual) make their way to the agency’s food bank. As the number of people seeking assistance has increased, Community Action House’s funding has decreased due to cuts from federal government programs and other sources.
The library will be accepting donations through December 20 with hopes of making two separate deliveries: one before Thanksgiving, and the other before Christmas.
Donations of the following will be accepted at the library:
Food:
- High priority non-perishables: spaghetti sauce, rice, canned fruit, sugar, flour, canned meats, bottles of juice, dried pinto beans
- Also accepted are: canned vegetables, noodles, boxed dinners, cereal, oatmeal, ramen noodles
Personal care items:
- High priority items include: laundry soap, dish soap, multi-purpose cleaners, shampoo and conditioner, toilet paper, and feminine products
- Also accepted are: diapers (size 4, 5, or 6), baby wipes, bar soap, paper towels
Community Kitchen items:
- #10 cans of vegetables, fruit, tomatoes, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce; large bags of rice, bulk size dried soups, kitchen supplies (napkins, cups, coffee, creamer, sugar, serving gloves)
You can drop off your donations at the display on the first floor of Van Wylen.
–Madalyn Muncy, Library Student Blogger