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February 1, 2012

Forum: Help ensure no vet goes hungry

By Kareemah El-Amin ----

"Jessica" is a U.S. Navy veteran who lives in northern Lower Michigan. A single woman, she works two part-time jobs and owns her home. Yet times are tough for Jessica. Her monthly mortgage takes up most of her income and Jessica, like many others, couldn't sell her home for what she owes. $7.50 an hour doesn't stretch far, and Jessica is now turning to the emergency food bank to help make ends meet.

In short, Jessica served her country, yet now can barely afford to live in it.

Over the next few months more and more military veterans will be coming home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but what will they be coming home to? Michigan has the 11th-largest population of veterans in the country and Jessica is one of the roughly 700,000 veterans residing in the state. Of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, Michigan spends the least amount of money on our veterans' compensation and pension, education and vocational rehabilitation, and medical benefits.

Because of the lack of monetary assistance, veterans will be forced to rely on the statewide food banking system to feed themselves and their families. While it is a shame that these men and women and their families aren't being compensated for their sacrifice, food banks throughout the state are proud to help them in any way they can. But the Michigan food banks can't do it alone and need your help.

Please log on to www.fbcmich.org to donate or to identify your local food bank where you can donate or volunteer to make a difference in the lives of a veteran or any other Michigan resident who is food insecure.

Now is the time to reach out and make a difference in the life of someone who has gone through extreme sacrifice so that you can live your life as you choose.

Together, we can ensure that no veteran goes hungry.

About the author: Kareemah El-Amin is executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.

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