The March 8 article “’We’re running out of food’: Amid migrant crisis, Chicago food pantries experience unprecedented demand” shines a light on the growing food insecurity crisis across Chicagoland.
However, we were deeply saddened to see a continuation of the “migrant versus Chicagoan” narrative reflected in this story. Migrants who need groceries are not the primary driver of our local hunger crisis. The lingering effects of inflation, high food prices and a shrinking federal safety net are causing hundreds of thousands of local families to fall behind each month. Hunger in our community is rooted in generational poverty and inequity.
When we position one group against another, we miss the opportunity to talk about what justice looks like for all. We should be focusing our energy on serving anyone who needs help while advocating for lasting change.
New Life Centers of Chicagoland is one of hundreds of organizations partnering in the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s network of food pantries and meal programs. At New Life’s Pan de Vida food pantry in Lawndale, there has been a steady increase in demand over the past two years. While some guests are new neighbors from South and Central America, most weekly traffic is from longtime residents who are challenged to make ends meet.
We believe that food is a basic human right. Every person in our community deserves high-quality food, whether they arrived today or have lived here their entire life. “Migrant versus Chicagoan” is a destructive narrative and a false choice.
By working collaboratively across government, nonprofit and business sectors, we can meet the needs of all our neighbors and address the root causes of hunger. And we can do so in ways that create economic opportunity for Black and brown Chicagoans.
Now is the time to raise our voices. Nutrition programs hang in the balance as Congress negotiates the next federal budget. Immigration reform is desperately needed.
There is an immediate opportunity to improve the child tax credit. A new Farm Bill — our nation’s most important piece of anti-hunger legislation — is on deck this year. Everyone should contact their members of Congress and advocate for programs that address poverty and hunger and give people the ability to earn a livable wage.
While we advocate, we will continue to provide food for anyone and everyone who needs it. If you are able to help, consider contacting a pantry near you and asking them how you can best support this work.
— Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO, Greater Chicago Food Depository
Debating money for schools
The Tribune Editorial Board scoffs at Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates telling the press to “ask another question” when it comes to where the money is going to come from to pay the union’s contract demands (“Stacy Davis Gates throws down a ‘$50 billion and 3 cents’ CTU gauntlet,” March 10).
Criminy, I don’t recall the editorial board asking where the money was going to come from when it came to cutting income taxes for the wealthy, underwriting war upon war or, closer to home, how Chicago was going to pay the hundreds of millions in liability and settlements for Chicago Police Department brutality.
But when it comes to something constructive, such as the welfare of students, teachers and staff, then suddenly we’re fresh out of cash.
The way we allocate our public revenue tells us so much about what our real priorities are, for good or ill.
— Paul W. Mollica, Chicago
Questions for teacher demands
The Sunday editorial about Stacy Davis Gates and the teachers union contract proposal provides a good summary of the perpetual teacher demand for huge salary increases. However, this opinion is similar to frequent comments about teacher salaries, which seldom include the heart of the issue.
What do teachers earn now? What do other school districts throughout Illinois pay their teachers? Where will these funds come from? What other budget items will be denied for lack of funds? What other budget items will be dropped to pay for these salary increases?
If good teachers no longer want to be Chicago Public Schools employees, taxpayers and elected officials must do something about it, but if salaries are fair, our government leaders must do what they were elected or appointed to do — tell the teachers union “no.”
There is an additional problem: Give in to unfair demands, and other powerful groups and individuals will ask: “Where’s mine?”
— Robert Tingler, Palatine
The joys of cooking at home
I shall leave it to my friends in the restaurant business to explain to Laura Washington why having an expertly cooked meal delivered to your table costs so much more than cooking at home (“Restaurants are walking a fine line between value and rip-off,” March 11).
There is a solution. She confesses “at-home cooking is not my forte,” so maybe now is a good time to learn to cook. It really is easy and hugely satisfying. There are some simple basic core concepts to learn and limitless resources that teach them. Take a cooking class. Have one of the Tribune’s food writers recommend a YouTube channel. Buy a beginner’s textbook and a more advanced cookbook. And make up your mind to have fun in the kitchen.
Cooking for others is an act of love, and the reward of a tasty, healthy, inexpensive, handmade meal at home is sheer joy.
— Meathead Goldwyn, Brookfield
Column an insult to families
Laura Washington’s rant in her column about the high cost of food and drink in restaurants is an insult to all families struggling to put food on their table. Maybe she should learn to cook.
— Daniel Morgenthaler, Chicago
Vote for people of character
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said he hoped one day people “will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” When we vote, we should vote for people of good character.
My religious education told me that people have a body, a soul, intellect and free will. Only God is perfect.
I’m reading today that many voters plan to vote on issues, not for individuals. Thinking in such a limited way in choosing a president, for example, is not logical. Issues come and go; integrity of character endures. No candidate is perfect. We all make mistakes. However, a person who has exhibited integrity in their personal and professional life is more likely to make good decisions as new and old issues evolve.
We must look past color, gender and personality when voting. We should vote for an individual who has been blessed with intelligence, experience, fairness, respect for others and good character.
— Marilyn Dean, Glen Ellyn
Thoughts about presidential race
It is imperative that all who are able and registered to vote must do so. And think about it. Do we want someone who swears to “support, defend and protect” the Constitution of the United States or someone who has his fingers crossed behind his back while mouthing the words?
Is there really a difference between an 81-year-old and a 77-year-old?
Is there a difference between a president who cares about the country or one who cares only about how he can become a dictator?
Think about it.
— Marsha Lieberman, Chicago
Grumbling about new roadwork
When I was a daily train commuter to the Loop back in the 1960s, we were grateful to have public transit. Working remotely was never a consideration.
I would suggest today’s workers consider themselves fortunate to have reliable transportation. Delays are a part of life, and new construction should be expected, such as on the Kennedy Expressway, to expedite a smooth trip.
— Judith Jacobson, Glen Ellyn
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