Merry Christmas And Thank You From Union Eight

The designers at Union Eight would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. We all thank you for your support this past year, and look forward to continuing our relationship with you next year as well. As you celebrate the holidays with your friends and families, please remember the thousands of people who might not have the resources we do and might go hungry this Christmas, due to the loss of employment, or other debilitating events. We at Union Eight count our blessings for being able to survive in this tough economy, and we hope you count your blessings as well. It is the hope of Union Eight that you will be kind enough to donate to your local food banks this Christmas to give a hand to those less fortunate than yourselves.

Food Banks See More Need, Fewer Donations

By Rebekah Kebede

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jennifer Bingham earned $7.50 an hour packing boxes for a jewelry company, but after a short illness she was fired and had to seek help at a food pantry and women's shelter.

"I never expected to get sick," said Bingham, 51, who had no savings.

Bingham is not alone. The economic downturn triggered by the worst financial crisis in decades is sending more Americans to food banks. But the crisis has also cut donations from companies and individuals, according to a survey for Feeding America, the largest U.S. relief organization.

"We're seeing more and more people coming to the front door and less and less food coming through the back door," said Aine Duggan of the Food Bank for New York City. "We're being squeezed from both sides and we haven't seen the worst of it."

U.S. jobless claims climbed to a 7-year high of over 500,000 last week, the Labor Department reported, and many of the newly unemployed are showing up at food banks.

Feeding America, which has more than 200 member food banks, said that almost all have reported an increase in the number of people they serve from a year ago and 80 percent cannot adequately meet the demand.

Al Brislain, who runs a food bank in Fort Myers, Florida, said the number of his clients has shot up 82 percent in the past two years as construction, the region's primary employer, almost ground to a halt.

"We are distributing more but we just can't keep up," he said.

NEW FACE OF HUNGER

An increasing number of people showing up at food banks are middle class, Brislain said.

"The new face of hunger is middle-class people. Working people," said Randi Shubin Dresner, director of Island Harvest, a food bank and food rescue organization.

For some, it is the first time they need help.

"We're getting a lot of first-time callers -- people who are used to paying their mortgage, used to working, used to paying their rent and all of a sudden have lost their jobs or have been faced with increased housing costs," said Anne Wrotniewski, of the Catholic Charities/Brownson House in East Los Angeles.

"They're completely unfamiliar with the social services arena. They're ashamed," she said.

With so many new demands, food banks are looking for ways to stretch their budgets

Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, which donates to food banks in the northeastern states, has seen a 15 percent increase in requests for contributions. It has assigned experts to help them stretch energy and printing dollars, said company spokeswoman Faith Weiner.

Food banks must also reach people who need food but are ashamed to go to a pantry.

The Community Kitchen in Harlem serves "take-out" dinners and Long Island Cares food bank is considering a mobile pantry.

"For some people it's very difficult to go to a pantry -- it's the straw that breaks the camel's back," said Paule Pachter, director of the Long Island Cares food bank.

(Additional reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Anthony Boadle)

$10 Bonus Gift!

Order $60 or more from any of the Union Eight galleries between now and December 24th and you will receive a $10 gift coupon with your package that makes a great gift for friends, family or for yourself!
Here's the details:

$10 discount applies to orders $10 or more for all Zazzle products, excluding gift certificates. Enter promo code at checkout to receive the $10 discount. Minimum order amount does not include shipping and handling charges or taxes. Promo code may only be used once and may not be reproduced or transferred. Valid through December 31, 2008 at 11:59 PST. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers.

You still have time to receive those special holiday gifts on time for Christmas, but order today! The deadline for ground shipping for T-shirts and apparel is December 15th for Christmas delivery. Here's some of the awesome T-shirt designs you'll find in Union Eight galleries!

I Used to Rock by MotherandFatherGifts

Keep On Truckin' T-Shirt by thekiddiepatch

Your Family Name Customizable Crest Kids Hoodie by TeeShirtsTShirts

Official Mistletoe Inspector by TeeShirtsTShirts

Warning ADDICTED TO CAFFEINE Women's Dark T-Shirt by warningsignshirts

Retro 60's T-Shirt by sagart1952

Jolly Old Santa Kids T-shirt by smallpotatoesdesigns

Pretty Blue Nurse by occupation_tshirts

Male Construction Worker by stick_figures
Shop the Union Eight galleries and earn yourself a $10 gift coupon while finding great gifts and T-shirts for everyone on your holiday gift list!