Many organizations are considering local celebrations to join with the January 20, 2009 Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama — as they should. Many have worked hard to get him elected so everyone can finally have someone representing all of us in the White House.

But I would ask each of these organizations to consider all the people for whom we have worked to get President-elect Barack Obama elected.

Millions are out of work, millions have lost their homes. We are currently in an economic crisis which is the worst since the Great Depression, which lasted for ten years, from 1929 to 1939.

I would encourage all of you to consider doing a food drive of non-perishable items to coincide with your celebrations, so that we can show everyone that we work differently than Republicans do, and that we truly have the people as our priority.

We have an opportunity to celebrate our success, but we also have an obligation to help those who have not yet benefited from this change in Administration, which has been a long time in coming, yet who gave all they could to help make this possible.

Most of the food pantries throughout the country are hurting, with donations down, and some of their donors are now in line asking for assistance.

Your help in making this change in administration a celebration that we can all enjoy is greatly appreciated.

Here are some local organizations which can use your help.

Food Pantry of Waukesha County
215 W. North Street
Waukesha, WI 53188
Tel: 262.542.5300 | Fax: 262.542.4177 | E-mail: WaukeshaPantry@tds.net

Hunger Task Force
201 S. Hawley Court
Milwaukee, WI 53214
Phone: (414) 777-0483
Fax: (414) 777-0480
Open Hours: Normal business hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
http://www.hungertaskforce.org/contact_us/