The Oil Spill is Spilling into My Food Pantry

Thank you big oil companies for once again proving your dedication to a healthy environment and the well-being of the world’s people. No really, I mean that (insert angry sarcasm here) …

I’m sure by this point most of you have heard about BP’s big oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, but have you heard about how it is ALREADY affecting Louisiana’s economy? Only nine days after this disaster began, I already have people signing up for my food pantry in anticipation of losing their jobs.

As an example, a man in his late ’40s with a 15-year-old son came to the Center today seeking help. He signed up, shared his story with me and declared that this will be, “worse than the Alaska Valdiz spill,” commenting that the oil will soon come inshore and ruin the fishing industry completely for years to come. “It’s gonna destroy clams, shrimp, catfish, you name it, we’ll be lucky to have two weeks of the season left,” he said.

Flash forward: “Remember shrimp?” “Oh yeah, that stuff used to be good … “

This particular person came in anticipation of what is to come. He didn’t even want any food from the pantry after signing up because he still had some groceries at home. It was purely a preemptive move, and a wise one. If he’s right, and I suspect that he is, then my food pantry is going to be swarming with fishermen out of work for the next year, probably longer. Cause if ya didn’t know, oil spills take a long time to clean up …

Business Week - Oil Spill Imperils Gulf Coast Fishing Industry