Feeding the Hungry.......who?

I have debated back and forth a gazillion times about writing this post.  I don't want it in any way to become a pity party or a ploy for attention.  Really, I don't.  I want it to be about awareness and opening our minds to some ideas that may initially cause a knee jerk reaction.

Tonight I went shopping to have bags ready for the Scouting for Food collection taking place in my neighborhood tomorrow morning.  I didn't want to just scour my cabinets for my extras or discards.  I wanted to intentionally purchase food for someone else so that they are a first thought, not an afterthought.  And I'll mention why because I want to help you put a face on those who are struggling.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I am passionate about feeding the hungry and helping those who are in need.  For over 20 years I have gone to, and helped coordinate gleaning events with the Society of St. Andrew to pull salvageable produce from the fields to feed the food insecure homes in those areas.  I did not have the opportunity to lead an event this year and honestly a little piece of my soul is missing because of it. So this year, as the Scouts come around I want to use my voice (or fingers) to maybe effect a little change.  Why?  Because I have been there myself.  Some of my story has been told (like in my springtime video for Bridge of Hope), and some has been told to select groups of people - but always for a purpose of benefitting someone else.

I give to food collections and food banks because I have been on the receiving end of those donations by others.  It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life when, after two years of leading a youth ministry that every year donated a ton or more of food to the local food bank, I found myself standing on the outside of the counter having two bags of groceries handed to me. I was told I could visit the food bank two more times IN A CALENDAR YEAR.   I went to my car and cried. Not only did I wonder how I was supposed to feed my boys for the rest of the time (the bags I got contained food for approximately 3 days), but also because I couldn't get past the thought:   THIS wasn't supposed to happen to ME.  I was the one leading the way for a time to stock those shelves, I shouldn't be taking from them.  But so it was.  At church one morning, one of the ladies whispered to me that I could get some food from the food pantry our church had.  Embarrassed, I accepted.  I took the food home and some days later, when I opened a can of applesauce my kids had asked for, I found both mold and rust.  And I cried.  This was not something that came from open-handed giving - it was a leftover, a discard, likely scavenged from the back of a cupboard somewhere.  And I cried again.

I am not unique.  There are many people in our country who struggle with food insecurity.
The U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.  This equates to about 37 million Americans, 11 million of whom are children.  About 1 in 9 Americans.  Think of the number of people you know  -I don't have to tell you how to break that down further.  At one of our events, it was shared that 50% of children in America will at some point in their lives, be the recipients of nutrition assistance.  That's pretty staggering when you think about it.  And yes, the numbers are thankfully coming down over the past few years, but 37 million people - that's still a lot of people!  
This means that you and I are interacting every day with people who may not know where their next meal is coming from.  They could be in the cubicle next to you, at the next pew in church or your own neighbor.  Somebody you know has had to make the choice to fill their gas tank or feed their children; keep the lights and heat on or pay a medical bill.  You get the idea.  And they/we need the compassion of friends and family and even strangers.  What they/we DON'T need is assumptions:

• If they had just made better choices, they wouldn't be in this situation.
• They should be happy for anything they get - why is this woman complaining about creamed spinach in her food bank bag?
• They need to get a job!  (Fact:  a few years ago, one of the statistics we learned was that nationwide, of the people getting help from food banks, 57% percent came from homes where at least one person was employed).
•  Well, if they didn't drive such a nice car.......Fact:  when my food stamps were discontinued, I was told my car was too new and that I should sell it (couldn't do - didn't have the title and I still owed more than it was worth) and buy an older car (so it wouldn't be reliable for getting to work?!?).

There are probably a bunch more - maybe you've said them or thought them. All I'm asking is for people to stop and think before they make comments that serve no real purpose but do a lot of harm.  

And let's talk a bit about what we put in those boxes and bins, shall we?  One common misconception is that poor people are stupid and that unhealthy, processed foods (which research has found contribute to chronic illness and autoimmune disorders) are what they want or use on a regular basis.  Guess what?  I was a single mom with master's degree, undergraduate degree in nutrition and was taught to cook like a boss by my mom.  So some of the folks carrying those bags to their cars really DO know what to do with quinoa, or lentils.  Some of them PREFER peanut butter for their kids without all the sugar, or whole grain cereals.  And don't forget that needing to be gluten free happens not just to those who are financially comfortable.  All I'm asking is that when you donate (because I know you do), that you give some thought to making your choices as though you are buying groceries for your guests, for your family, for yourself.  And yes, we all love snacks and a sweet treat or two - so go for those as well!  Also- did you know that people who use SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program  AKA food stamps) cannot use those funds for things like toilet paper, shampoo, pet food, feminine hygiene products, etc?  Check your own grocery receipts - those things add up to a LOT of moolah!)

And one last thing, whether or not you believe in the particular stance or politics of the group or individuals asking you to help our hungry neighbors, please give anyway.  You are not promoting their agenda.  You are feeding someone you possibly already know. In this season of giving, show your gratitude by paying it forward.  Thanks for reading my rant.  

Editing disclaimer - I have no idea why the spacing suddenly changed mid-post, but I couldn't change it back, much to my chagrin and techno-challenged brain.  Perhaps it was meant to be......