When I attended Great Neck North High School (in the early '60s), I bought lunch everyday for 40 cents. Looking back I can hardly believe it. I remember Thursdays were my favorite because the school often served roast beef with mashed potatoes. Since I was a growing boy at the time, I often bought two lunches-I was a real spendthrift with my parents' money!

I don't have to tell you how little 40 cents buys today. In the last six months alone, the price of milk, eggs, rice, bread, and pasta have all gone up from 15 to 40 percent. In fact, a gallon of milk now costs more than a gallon of gas.

For families on a budget, the increase in food prices is particularly difficult. I hate to think what seniors on fixed incomes are doing to stretch their food dollars.

One thing I do know for sure, every time I help serve lunch at the Interfaith Nutrition Network soup kitchen in Hempstead, the lines of hungry men, women, and children get longer and longer. When I started working at the soup kitchen six years ago, we served an average of 150-200 meals on our busiest days. Today, it's not unusual for us to serve 350 to 400 meals a day.

If you've had some good fortune in your life, I ask that you consider sharing it with local families that haven't been as lucky. A donation of just $25 will help us feed 10 people. All donations, small or large, are welcome.

To help families in need, please make your check payable to: The Interfaith Nutrition Network and mail it to: Dave Golbert, 7 Lee Court West, Great Neck, NY 11024. For additional information about how to volunteer or to donate food or clothing, please call 917-418-2451 or email: davegolbert@yahoo.com

Your thoughtfulness makes a real difference in the lives of our less fortunate neighbors.