May 8: National Assoc. of Letter Carriers Nationwide Food Drive for the Needy

"For local food pantries it is one of the most affecting days of the year.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will hold its nationwide food drive on May 8. On that day, postal workers across the country will once again pick up bags of canned good and non-perishable food items left out by residents to help those in need.

“Millions and millions of families are suffering – struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table,” said Frederic Rolando, NALC president. “Food banks, pantries and shelters need our help more than ever this year. As families count on them for support, they’re counting on us and we will not back off on our commitment.”

In the NALC’s announcement for this year’s drive, Rolando “also noted that donations are particularly critical at this time since most school lunch programs are suspended during the summer months and millions of children must find alternate sources of nutrition.”

Countless food pantries benefit from the donations collected during the drive, including the Niles Salvation Army.

“We have seen a lot of new faces, new people who have never been (in) the system, so to say,” Captain Bill Walters said Thursday. “That’s just one of the changing things of the times, we’re seeing a lot of people needing assistance right now.”'

- Niles Daily Star

Read more at:

www.nilesstar.com/2010/04/23/letter-carriers-to-deliver-help-for-needy/

Fiesta 2010: April 30 and May 1 in Holland Michigan

There was a small but wonderful reminder in the Grand Rapids Press over the weekend of the Fiesta 2010 to be held in Holland on April 30 and May 1. To me, it sounds like it will be a beautiful celebration of Latino culture and heritage.

Unfortunately, in the "comments" concerning the celebration, the first person to comment suggested that:

"Its time to send in ice (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and start to arrest the illegals at these events."

Our Latino brothers and sisters in Holland are getting ready to have a party, a fiesta. I would hope that the only police or law enforcement presence is there to maintain order, direct traffic, etc., no different than any other large gathering of people be they of European, Asian, African, Pacific Islander, or Native American descent.

www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/04/fiesta_translates_into_inclusi.html


P.S. I also wish that folks had to identify who they are when they submit comments to the on-line editions of responsible newspapers and magazines. For what it is worth, I'm Roblloyd in the comments section of the GR Press and MLIVE.com.

Should the Federal Government Extend Unemployment Benefits Again?

"Up to a million people could find themselves with neither a paycheck nor an unemployment check by year's end, according to preliminary estimates by one advocacy group.

These folks are begging lawmakers to extend the duration of benefits into the triple digits. Scores have emailed CNNMoney.com, detailing their desperation. But there's no movement currently in Congress to add more weeks.

"People will endure extreme hardship," said Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project. "We can't just let everyone fall off of this cliff."

But a growing chorus of economists and lawmakers say another extension would be the worst thing for the unemployed. It would likely further delay these Americans' re-entry into the workforce.

"If you are subsidized to stay out of the workforce, many people will," said Alan Reynolds, senior fellow at The Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank."

- CNN Money.com

money.cnn.com/2010/04/23/news/economy/extending_unemployment_benefits/index.htm