Today, Rachel Ray’s daytime program hit close to home. Rachel did a show from Wilmington, Ohio, to show the plight of this small town since industry left the area. The DHL Hub, which employed almost 10,000 people, closed last year, and the effect of that on this town has been devastating.
During the broadcast, a representative of the local food pantry/soup kitchen, Sugartree Ministries, stated they used to feed about 200 people a week, but since DHL closed up, it is more like 200-300 a day.
Rachel Ray, along with Nick Lachey, (hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, just a few dozen miles down the road), swooped in upon Wilmington to help this ailing community. Rachel’s show donated a new kitchen to the Sugartree Ministries, and Sara Lee donated enough food to keep the food pantry afloat for the next year.Ray also hosted a grand Thanksgiving Dinner for the entire town, with Lachey, and the band “The Fray” providing entertainment.
I mentioned that this hit close to home, and it did. My daughter-in-law’s mother lives in Wilmington. She is a Beautician, who has her own shop, but she is struggling. With the closing of the DHL hub, not too many can afford a haircut, not to mention the pricier services such as color and perms.She speaks of the multitude of businesses which have went under since the plant closed, and fears for hers. The downtown area is close to a ghost town these days, so many have closed.
The show today made me well up several times, and by the end, tears were streaking down my face. I know what it is like to be afraid of losing your home. I know the fear of being homeless, and I know the hope something like this can bring to a family.
God Bless Rachel Ray and her merry band of helpers, for making Thanksgiving in Wilmington something to be thankful for.
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Comments: 8
Going later today to Sam's to do my semi-annual buy-out of staple foods for the local pantry. The economy has had less of an impact here than across the rest of the country, but any impact on such a poor state can be devastating. The local food bank gave away 4,000 turkeys last year but this year, the demands are so great they are having to eliminate that part of the Thanksgiving meal giveaway.
I do another buy-out in June, for my birthday present to myself....just prior to the 'Christmas in July' campaign, when stocks are running very low.
Your generosity knows no bounds, and I applaud you. We have been lucky thus far, as not to need a pantry, but I know of many who do on a regular basis. It is sad to see a working family need a pantry, but I guess the economy has taken its toll on everyone. I'm just glad I was taught to cook on a shoestring...many these days learned using packages and/or convenience foods which, barring the "___Helpers" cost more than making homemade.
Yeah, it was incredibly touching.