Bill Childers, executive director of the United Way of Portage County, does a good job of focusing on key issues. The issue of hunger or “food insecurity” is at or near the top of his priorities.

Hunger abroad, hunger at home — it’s the same issue. If we are willing to accept it “there,” we accept it here. It’s our choice. It just takes a slight turn of the head to look away. But that’s harder ...

In the parking lot at the San Jose Flea Market on Monday morning where Hunger at Home feeds the needy, the line of cars waiting for boxes of food increased 40% to nearly 250 — a need they haven’t seen ...