Connecting the dots.
Drawing the lines between what I read, what I believe, what I’ve learned and what I do. That’s been part of the fun and challenge of my reading goal for this year.
What I do is work for a food bank. I believe that no person should go hungry. I’ve learned that hunger is in unexpected places.
- 1 in 4 children in Nevada do not know where their next meal is coming from
- The Food Bank helps more than 97,000 people per month
- The Food Bank serves the hungry through 130+ partner agencies
- The Food Bank and partners offer free meals to 28 sites in Washoe County during summer
- The Food Bank of Northern Nevada distributed 10.5 million pounds of food last year.
But SOMETIMES statistics can’t tell the whole story of hunger.
A recent invitation to stage a food drive at a Sparks, NV elementary school during a special spring event revealed so much more.
This school is “over” standards that would make children eligible for government programs to address hunger and yet, and yet…as the young students and families brought contributions to the food drive, stories emerged.
“I was wondering about the food bank truck I see at Sparks Christian Fellowship,” asked a dad who had just donated a large bag of food to the barrel.
“Oh, it’s a pantry site and they sure could use some volunteers,” replied the Food Bank employee on site. But that’s wasn’t his question. He went on to explain that he and his family belong to a group of seasonally employed — those in the construction trades who don’t always have work in the winter months and need help with food. Because of the food drive, he now has some additional information on how to access food when his family needs it.
A sweet, blonde second-grade boy cruised by a couple times with his book bag slung over his shoulder, blue eyes seeking out a friend or two.
Later, a middle-aged woman with two children at the school donated another large bag of food and our employee thanks her for her donation, “You are welcome, she said, “I always give when I see a barrel. You see, I’ve stood in line for food from you. I know what it feels like and I want to give back. I’m all right now.”
This was turning into a very surprising food drive.
The night was pleasant as children dashed back and forth to classrooms playing games and earning raffle tickets for good reading habits. Among them was the second-grade boy, who shied away from the wave from our employee.
Whereupon a mother passed and commented, Food Bank, ahhh, I’ve always wondered — how can I volunteer?”
“How nice!” our Food Bank representative said, noting that she spoke with a Spanish accent. “We can certainly use bilingual help, if that would fit with you. We can use help with our Mobile Pantry program.” The outgoing mom took with her information on places she can help out with her skills.
Gosh, who knew that we would be collecting more than food? Always great to garner a volunteer.
Soon the children gathered in the multipurpose room for lemonade and books and a chance at the raffle, but our employee stayed outside with the food barrel, just in case.
The nicely dressed blonde boy — sporting a yellow lei that the school provided for the tropical theme — overcame his shyness momentarily and asked, “How much does this food cost?”
“Oh, sweetie, I”m not selling it. I’m collecting food.”
“But how much does it cost?” he persisted.
“If you don’t have any food to give tonight, that’s OK. There’ll be other times — other food drives,” our employee explained.
“But,” he said, gesturing to a pocket.
“No, no. I’m not selling the food. We give it away to people who are hungry.”
One look from him revealed the truth.
“Are you hungry right now buddy?”
“Yes.”
“No food at home?”
No.”
“Well, let’s get you some food right now,” she said in a quiet voice.” “I see you’ve got a bag with you now, can we slip some in there?”
Blondie’s head bobbed up and down, a smile creeping to his lips. “But I got a baby sister, and a mom…”
“Well, let’s pick out some food for them too — want to?”
Increased nodding of head. He stood on tip-toe looking into the Food Bank barrel. He picked out some turkey chili beans for himself, some soup for his mom. “But my sister, she’s just 18-months old. She can’t eat just anything,” came his words, almost in panic.
“OK, you and I are going to dig in here until we find something.”
At last they found some apple sauce, and he slipped this last can into his bag. “Oh, my mom is going to be SO happy!” he said.
The tears that had been gathering in my eyes began to leak out; I didn’t want him to see.
“You are a good boy,” I said. “And a good big brother.”
Off he scampered, eager to walk home and share this food.
He is the one in four who doesn’t know where his next meal is coming from — but he’s plainly not a statistic. He’s a little boy. A neighbor. A student. A friend. A Nevadan. A person.
This school now has information on our summer food program where children aged 1 to 18 can access food in area parks. It is a middle class school, but you see, pockets of hunger are everywhere, and the faces of hunger can surprise and enlighten. Even us.
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This, ladies and gentlemen, was a heart-wrenching experience for me. I carry that little boy with me every day to the food bank and from the food bank. He reminds me that I can make a difference and that I am making a difference.
Chances are, wherever you live, there is a Food Bank. If you can, volunteer, or give a can of food to help.
As for reading, I do recommend “Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America” by Ehrenreich, Barbara.
Aug 07, 2012 @ 23:44:47
What a heart warming story. I once worked with a woman with two young boys (who eat a lot!) and she had trouble keeping food in the house. Everyone at work at different times contributed in some way. I picked up milk from the local dairy for them and someone else would pick up other things. We do have a wonderful local food bank and I’m not sure if she accessed it or not.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 01:11:29
It’s the kindness of community that means the most to someone who is struggling. Asking for help is SO hard to do. I worry about those who just cannot bring themselves to ask for help. I’m think about this boy’s mother and hope that she has.
Aug 08, 2012 @ 15:25:05
Wonderful post. Hunger is definitely a problem in this country. I hope you enjoy reading Nickel and Dimed. It is a good book. Thanks for visiting my blog 🙂 Judy
Aug 08, 2012 @ 18:12:34
I just stumbled over your blog and this post got me glued to the screen. Thinking. I’ve never been hungry in my life and for that I’m grateful. Working with children as well as physical and mentally handicapped people I know how proud they are and how reluctant to ask for help. Especially in a time, where other children worry about how to get the latest App for their iPhone, showing just how important wealth is nowadays. If I’d think back and compare my ‘needs’ I had when I was a child to the troubles a hungry child is facing, I’m ashamed. Not only of myself and not only for not knowing. I’m ashamed, because the number of people that try to stop this struggle is so small. I’m also ashamed of everyone else, who sits back waiting for someone else to do something (just look at Facebook: ‘Click [Like] if you are against…’) instead of getting out there and facing these problems. In Germany we have an organisation called the ‘Tafel’. It’s collecting food from supermarkets that would be thrown away as waste, even though it’s still fresh. They then sell it to people in need. Sometimes they give it away for free, but that’s hardly the case. It’s a step into the right direction, but we still have a LONG way to go. Thank you for your post! The next chance I get, I’ll stop by our local Tafel and buy at least 2 children something to eat!
Aug 08, 2012 @ 18:26:19
Oh, I do feel so lucky to work at something that makes a difference right here in my community. To see people in need and then to be able to actually do something to help them. I love it! Our food bank has three trucks that go to grocery stores everyday and collect food that will soon go past expiration. We turn that food around within 24 hours so that it gets eaten by families. We battle the misconception that people who are hungry are homeless. 70 percent of the people we see have an apartment or a place to live, but to keep that, they forgo food to make ends meet. One of our clients is taking care of four grandchildren on her limited income while their dad (her son) has cancer treatments. They just need help! I’m so glad that you read my blog entry and see it too, now. I’ll be sure to stop by your blog, too!
Oh, hormones, where art thou? « The Diary Of The Crazy Sheep Lady
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:00:52
Aug 08, 2012 @ 19:10:45
Thank you for reposting! Hunger is a serious issue that we can actually do something about.
Aug 09, 2012 @ 08:45:25
I love this post; truly a heart-warming anecdote and I’m sure it’s one that I will be turning over in my head (and if I may say, my heart!) for a while yet. There is talk of suffering and poverty all over the world, but it is a shame that many just associate this with the so-called Third World countries. I’ve always considered hunger to be a struggle that feels the same for anybody, regardless of race or caste and I am glad that this wonderful post reaffirms my thought!
Aug 09, 2012 @ 13:16:16
The meal gap of those who skip meals, just to get by, is huge. Children and seniors, as you can imagine, are especially vulnerable with their health when they skip a meal. Once the family realizes they need outside help to eat, they have been skipping meals, or eating poorly for quite some time. We do interventions in schools, parks, and senior centers to let folks know that they’re not alone and it’s no shame to ask for help.
Aug 09, 2012 @ 18:16:04
That saddens me to hear, there is nothing worse than to suffer in silence. I wish you the very best in your endeavours. Truly, it must be one that brings you reward every single day!
Aug 09, 2012 @ 13:32:46
Thank you so much for sharing this. Truly…..
Aug 09, 2012 @ 14:14:12
What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing.
Aug 09, 2012 @ 15:37:09
That is a beautiful story. It’s awe-some when we can be awake for moments like this, when we are in the middle of making a difference for someone else. What feels better? Thanks for sharing!
Aug 09, 2012 @ 15:57:11
I love the way you put that! Mmm.
Aug 10, 2012 @ 06:39:34
Here in Britain we’ve usually been able to pride ourselves as a nation for allowing few to go without food. Unfortunately that no longer seems to be the case, with numbers of such cases surging over the past four years. It serves to highlight the vital work that Foodbanks do on both sides of the Atlantic.
Aug 12, 2012 @ 23:01:54
I read this and I could not help crying. I once helped at the Oregon Food Bank Warehouse where donated foods were separated. It was just one day … I should volunteer more. Your story … that little boy … all the hungry people … it breaks my heart.
Aug 13, 2012 @ 03:46:35
Oh! I carry that little boy with me. It’s so hard to think of him feeling responsible and worrying about his next meal. He should be playing, carefree. The Oregon Food Bank does such good work! It is a gold standard of food banks out there. I hope you will!
Aug 13, 2012 @ 16:31:22
Aug 13, 2012 @ 16:43:04
Volunteer work is the most rewarding, you get back so much more than you give… and when children are involved the value of the reward more than doubles. The smiles from when you get it right.. are like golden sunshine.
Aug 13, 2012 @ 22:30:07
By the way, I hope you do not mind, but I linked this blog into one of mine. (Uhhh…as I now look at this, I see that the blog I linked it in is showing as a comment???? Did I do something incorrectly? I did not mean to make my blog show here!)
Aug 14, 2012 @ 14:01:28
Ha, ha. WordPress has a lot of goofy options sometime. I’m sure people can backtrack if they click on the comment. Thanks for the link.
Aug 14, 2012 @ 22:56:43
This is a beautiful and important post. Thank-you for writing this, and thank-you for stopping by my site. I’m very please to meet you!
Aug 14, 2012 @ 23:13:22
Pleased to meet you too!