I wanted to make a quick observation about the effects of the California fires beyond the fire area.
As many of you already know, I’ve been working as a substitute teacher while I’m preparing to start my full teaching credential program. Being a substitute teacher is an often fulfilling job, but is pays very little, and not enough for me to live on without assistance, including food bank visits.
Last week, I went to a local distribution. The line was the longest I’ve ever see it. I waited in line for about an hour and a half, almost three times longer than usual. Usually, at this time of year, there is a pretty good if monotonous selection of canned goods, bread, and produce. Last year before Thanksgiving they gave out frozen turkeys to those who wanted one. Last Friday, however, there was very little available, no bread, no canned goods, just some pasta, a jar of peanut butter, and a bag of brussels sprouts. Since this is the Thanksgiving break, I’ll be going to another distribution later today, but I expect it too to be light again.
While I don’t know for sure, it seems quite likely that the bulk of the food distribution has moved to the fire zone, as it should. I wonder how much this has affected families who are 100% depended upon food distribution.
I just wanted to make the point that the fires have effects beyond the areas that have burned.
#jtg