More on the situation in Milwaukee

Today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provides more backdrop to the near food riot that took place earlier this week. Milwaukee is the eight poorest city in the country and has the fourth highest number of children in poverty said Sherrie Tussler, executive director of the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee. According to Tussler, government food donations have dropped 31% since 2001. In the first five months of 2007, the Task Force was forced to spend $3,400 on food. This year, however, between January and May alone, the group has spent $94,000. Regarding child hunger, the government only provides free food to summer school children under the age of 12, so the Task Force needs to provide snacks for children 13 and over. Another food relief organization, Second Harvest, reported that donations were down 1 million pounds, or 15%, from last year through May.