Hunger in the Heartland: Reflections from Our Food Pantry
September 2, 2009 by Border Explorer
The US Department of Ag’s figures in May broke a record: 34.4 million people used the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program of aid to low-income people. Now one out of every nine Americans qualifies for “food stamps.” That’s an increase of over 2 percent from the previous month. And it’s a staggering increase of 6 million new qualifiers over the past year.
Our central city neighborhood runs a small food pantry that provides a food supplement to anyone who lives nearby. Once every 60 days a household can receive a box of food, whether or not they receive food stamps. One simply shows a photo ID to receive the free supplement of food. I volunteer at the pantry six hours a week; I see the face of hunger close to home.
From my “ringside seat” on the need in the heart of this nation, I know that the USDA figures are right. But they don’t go far enough. They don’t reveal the human degradation of being down so far that you must ask for food.
When I started working here a few years ago, I suspected that I’d be scammed or taken advantage of by people who were “working the system.” There’s some of that from time to time, but I am far more often impressed by the opposite phenomenon. Viewing the records as I check people in, I might comment to them: “We haven’t seen you here since last year.” And they respond: “I try not to come here unless I’m really in need.” or “I don’t like to come here too often. But I got laid off…”
Our numbers more than tripled last month, compared to last year. In August 2008 we served 23 households; August 2009 we served 81. We don’t have a sponsoring organization, relying on free-will donations to provide funding for food that we can purchase for less than $.20 a pound at the River Bend Food Bank. Everyone who works at the pantry is a volunteer, as are the few women who head it up. We’re just people helping other people.
Our patrons often share their stories with us, explaining their family’s situation. We try to listen as best we can. When it’s possible, we stretch the rules to provide for exceptional needs. Occasionally we encounter people who live in a tent or a car. We help families with kids, lots of single parents, the elderly and people who are challenged–mentally and physically. Sometimes I choke back tears. Sometimes I let them show.
Watching the news and volunteering in our neighborhood, I know that all is not well in our nation. You can read statistics. Or you can observe the reality at a local food pantry. I bet you’ll benefit more from the latter. I know I do.
Sphere: Related ContentNo related posts.
Dusty:
I came to your blog via Frodo, Keeper of the Ring, where I comment as “Merry.” Thought I would share a personal experience.
In 1996, my husband of 13 years announced he had met someone and wanted to be free to pursue her, then walked out the door. At that time, my income was a disability check of $585 a month and my rent was $400 a month. I was scared to death.
Within hours I called the “crisis hotline” and asked a very nice woman there named Robin to help me with food for my five cats. She came right away with bags of cat food. I then got a friend to take me to the local agency handling the electric company’s “share the warmth” program, which paid my current electric bill. The lady there actually thanked me for coming in right away as she said most people wait until they are three months behind on their electric bill to ask for help. The friend then took me to the local food pantry where I received several sacks of groceries.
It sure didn’t hurt my pride to ask for needed help at a critical moment.
After the help of a good lawyer and alimony payments, I was soon on my feet. Although, it was not expected of me, I reimbursed each organization which helped me that day.
The point is: there are circumstances which can change people’s lives, and people in their community who are there to give a helping hand must be rewarded by the knowledge of the good they do. Thanks for the post.
BJ
P.S. Please don’t share my email address. I am legally blind and limit my inbox intake. Thanks.
Dear BJ/Merry,
First, no one has access to your email address. We would never do that as we hate spam as much as you do.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience with us here at Sirens Chronicles. I felt plenty of emotions reading your comment here on Border Explorer’s post. When we all, through no fault of our own usually, fall into hard times or nightmares like you experienced, its a god-send to have community groups that will help us make the barest of ends meet.
I am so glad you were able to get the help you needed. You are a wonderful human to also pay them back.
I too am on disability through Social Security, having blown three discs in my back out at work three years ago. It’s not easy living on a fixed income in these times, I know it well.
Thank you for stopping by Sirens and I hope you come back to check out the other writers we have here.
Dusty´s last blog ..The good, the bad and the down right criminal.
BJ, I want to add my own thanks to you for blessing my post here with your personal experiences. And as Dusty said, your courage and your determination are inspiring…as is your generous repayment to the places that assisted you when you needed it. It also shows your inner strength that you were able to seek out the help you needed immediately. That “emotional intelligence” held you in good stead.
Thanks so much for commenting here. I really appreciate what you contributed!
Border Explorer´s last blog ..Anne LaMott to Obama on Healthcare: "You promised!"
BJ, you are awesome! That schmuck lost a good thing, sounds like, to me.
I appreciate your remarks. And, Border Explorer: sorry for not noticing your byline. Just assumed this was Dusty’s blog and post, since I came through a link on her name. I need to find out a little more about Sirens Chronicles, don’t I? Have a nice long weekend, guys. BJ
BJ´s last blog ..Louisiana players