Hunger Is Not a Disease

But…are they hungry enough?

GNP54

 

 

The “Are They Hungry Enough” issue looms large in food pantry conflicts.  The fears boil down to this:

People are going to shop at the pantry when they actually have the $$$ to go to the grocery store.

Riffraff are going to take the pantry food and sell it.

These people wouldn’t need to come here if they managed their $$$ better.

VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE CONCEPT THAT WE JUST GIVE THE FOOD AWAY…NO STRINGS ATTACHED.  The unspoken text is that the hungry, the struggling class, individually and as a group should be punished for being the downtrodden.

Sometimes when I try to sort the issues out in my head, I remember the chicken yard my grandmother had during World War II.  Occasionally, when a chicken would become sick, the other chickens would begin to peck at it.  If the chicken didn’t get well, it would be pecked to death.

WHEN WE ATTACK THE HUNGRY FOR NEEDING THE PANTRY, WE’RE LIKE THE CHICKENS PECKING THE WEAKEST ONE TO DEATH.

I welcome all shoppers.  They don’t have to be destitute although I see many destitute people nowadays.

Pantry shoppers routinely endure:

long lines

uncomfortable waiting conditions

lack of choice

WAITS OUTSIDE PANTRIES ARE USUALLY AN HOUR OR LONGER.   At the Reservoir Food Pantry, we advertise our hours as 2:00 to 5:30.  The doors actually open a little after 1:00 to a long line of people already waiting.

Shoppers  wait outside the tiny pantry whether it’s raining, snowing, or if there are broiling summer temperatures.  There is no shade outside our pantry…no protection from the elements.

They wait in this line for access to about 30 different food products.  Compare that to a trip to a super market with 10,000 or so items to choose from.

THE PANTRY EXPERIENCE IS THE END OF THE ROAD.   People  are out of $$$ and need something to eat. period.

And, finally, if I ever could take the attitude that hungry people must have done something wrong and don’t need that kind of food…I remember the first time I naively asked a child in line about Christmas.

SANTA DOESN’T COME TO FAMILIES THAT STAND IN A PANTRY LINE.

THAT IS PUNISHMENT ENOUGH.

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Peace and food for all.

Thurman Greco