Many of our friends and neighbors are unemployed due to COVID-19 restrictions. It follows that many of them have exhausted their savings and need our help putting food on their tables.

On the global level, the executive directors of the World Food Program and UNICEF made a TV plea for billionaires to donate $5 billion to help on a worldwide scale. Closer to home, Dr. Phil made a pitch on FM 94.1, the Sound, to feed America. I hope that folks respond.

Meanwhile, how can I — and you — help? Think local!

I respectfully offer some examples: First, a lady in Seattle stocks food in “refrigerators” — (actually, shelves with plastic covers) and encourages people to “take what you need and leave what you can.” Neighbors supporting neighbors!

Second, churches and nonprofits can collect food and money and donate it to their local food bank. For example, the Port Orchard Eagles’ collection site at 4001 Jackson Ave. SE is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays — people helping people!

Third, you can put food in food bank containers at grocery stores or visit their distribution center in your community. Finally, contact your family and friends on a variety of social media sites to express your concern, to share what is being done — or better yet — what you are doing to help with this important social issue.

Encourage them to participate and to share with their family and friends. Your effort can make the hunger issue explode exponentially as only the internet can. Remember: “Sometimes you need a hand, and sometimes you need to lend a hand.”

Ken Bicha

Port Orchard