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Originally published at Memoirs of a Nobody. You can comment here or there.

So mum and I are poor…this is not news. To supplument the 108$ I get in foodstamps, we run by the local food bank once a month. The problem with this is, more often then not, we have to throw out the food we get from them either the day of, or within a few (like three) days, because the food is molded (mostly the bread products and sometimes the dairy, canned food is not molded, but one can not live by green beans alone).

So after about a year of this (lazy, the name is Saity) and many times of discussing this matter with the food bank and other patrons, I write my usual letter to the editor.

…only this time it’s rejected as a ‘personal issue’.

Er…what?

So, I write the Opinion Editor back, a long letter indicating we’ve discussed this with both the local branch of the county food bank (where we get our food) and discovered it’s actually not just us, by discussin it with other patrons, and I fail to see how this is a ‘personal’ problem, if more then one family (especially those with children) are suffering the same fate of throwing out half the food they get, due to spoilage. I also inluded a bit about how moldy food and other spoilage is still dangerous in this country, especially for children, the elderly and low-income families who often don’t get the medical attention they may need.

…suddenly my letter is being sent to the City Editor and the Editor-in-Chief.

…what? How did…umm, I didn’t want to cause a huge drama…just give a heads up for people to watch what they buy for the food bank, not…this.

Worst possible outcome, the Riddle branch of the food bank is shut down, which would stress out the rest of the system as everyone (about 100 families) would have to go to other food banks, or possibly not get food at all to supliment their income.

I feel torn between people needing to know this (so they can check their food and not ingest harmful bacteria) and feeling like I ruined a hell of a lot for the families of the town.