Smyrna times., 1931-04-08
MORE THAN ONE MILLION
IN TWENTY STATE ARE FED
OF VOLUNTEER
WORKERS AID RED CROSS
Hot School Lunches and Balanced
Rations Given to Drought Vic
tims-Seed Programs Instituted

>
More than 100000 persons in S62
drought-stricken counties OF 20
States came under the care of the
American Red Cross in what de-
veloped into the most extensive re-
lief operations in half century of
ministering to stricken humanity.
Measures to lessen the severity of
the blow inflicted by drought were
taken as early as last September,
when seed was distributed to more
than $4,000 families for the planting
of rye and other pastures, and to
more than $4,000 families for the
planting of kitchen gardens. The ex-
penditure for this purpose amounted
to s326,S0O. Green vegetables were
made available up to January.
Early in February another Red
Cross garden program got under
way and $4,000 packages Of seed
were distributed in Is States. Quar-
ter-acre plots were planted TO beans,
beets, cabbage, carrots, sweet corn,
kale, lettuce, mustard, onions, peas,
spinach, squash, tomatoes and tur-
nips. Once again were farm families
given the opportunity to participate
in their own salvation.
A comparatively mild winter con-
tributed to the success of the Spring
and Fall seed campaigns. Many
habitual single-croppers were intro
duced to the advantages of kitchen
gardens, balanced cropping and bal
anced diet Numerous landowners
have expressed the opinion that
this constitutes the one apparent
blessing to come out of the drought
catastrophe. The United States De-
partment OF Agriculture and the To-
cal county agricultural agents and
home demonstration agents cooper
ated in making this part of the re-
lief operations successful.
Balanced Meals Served
Red Cross feeding was aimed at
adequacy and scientific correctness.
In large numbers of schools, where
children were found to be attending
with little or nothing in their lunch
boxes, hot meals were served at
noon. A typical menu consisted of
vegetable soup and bread one day;
thick beef soup or stew with vege-
tables another day; cocoa or milk
and cheese, peanut butter, or jam
sandwiches, a third day.
In some places where lunches
were not served in the schools, but
were provided for in the regular
food orders. each family having
school children received extra sta
plies fer school lunches including
peanut butter, raisins, prunes and
tomatoes. Red Cross nutritionists
instructed mothers in the prepara-
tion OF lunches.
County health officers and private
physicians commended the adequacy
of rations procured on orders is
sued by Red Cross chapters. Besides
the usual staples, such as corn
meal, -four, lard, meat, beans and
potatoes, such items as canned sal
mon, cabbage, tomatoes, vegetables
and milk were provided, each order
being adapted to the special needs
of the family from whom it was is.
sued. Where pellagra threatened,
eggs. yeast and other preventives
were given.
Thousands of Volunteer Workers
Many thousands of volunteers
through their local Red Cross chap
ters. gave freely of their time. ex.
perience and efforts, as in other Red
j Cross disaster operations. They
searched out needy cases in their
communities. Chapter committees
i investigated circumstances, distrib
uted food and clothing.
More than 500 carloads of food
stuffs were contributed. These were
given free haulage by railroads
Farmers of more fortunate sections
embraced the opportunity to help
their pastoral cousins of the affected
area. Shipments ranged from live
poultry to fish, from grain to grape
fruit. Carloads of -four. eggs. beans
vegetables, onions. rice, corn and
mixed vegetables were included.
As the result of co-ordinated Red
Cross chapter efficiency, no authen
ticated case of starvation as a re
suit of drought has been uncovered
Large quantities OF new and used
clothing were distributed. In direct
consequence many school children
resumed their studies, who had beer
kept at home for lack OF sufficient
protection from the elements. In
some instances. rural schools thai
had been closed were enabled to re
open as a result Of Red Cross reliei