The 18th annual Rubber Duck Regatta is this Sunday, September 2nd at 3pm. The ducks will be dropped from the Purple People Bridge into the Ohio River where they will begin a race along the Serpentine Wall. You can purchase a duck to compete in the race.
There is much at stake with this event, the largest single fundraiser for the Cincinnati Freestore Foodbank.
The Freestore provides emergency food aid for the hungry in the Tri-State. They depend on donations both from the public and the government. Hunger is a huge crisis in the area. A Feeding America study showed that in Hamilton County over 18 percent of the population suffers from hunger, or food insecurity.
This summer’s drought is having an impact on the cost of food, placing a further strain on the hungry and charities. However, the worst may be yet to come. The Department of Agriculture says the impact of food prices in stores “typically takes several months to occur, and most of the impact of the drought is expected to be realized in 2013.”
If food prices rise more people will fall deeper into hunger, having even less ability to put food on the table. Others who may be struggling to get by will also need food assistance. The Freestore will need all the support it can get to help those in need.
In addition, Congress is planning to scale back food stamps, which at a time of rising food prices and high unemployment is a recipe for disaster.
Fundraisers for the Freestore take on a great urgency when you consider the potential hunger crisis that is fast gathering.
The Freestore says, “For just $25 – the price of six ducks – the Freestore Foodbank can feed a family of four for an entire week.” You can help out the Freestore and buy a duck at their web site until 2 pm eastern time Sunday, September 2nd at www.freestorefoodbank.org
Author William Lambers 