Hunger Is Not a Disease

Why are they hungry?

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RECENTLY UNEMPLOYED

They showed up in the pantry one Wednesday evening.   A man, his wife, her mother, two children.  A closely knit group,  it was this family against the world.   It was obvious to anyone in the room who looked that he loved his daughter.

“Welcome.  Come on in.  Go around the room…..” I gave them the usual spiel.  The whole family helped choose food.

As they were leaving, I handed them a flyer about the soup kitchen.  Off they went, flyer in hand, to have supper.

Wednesdays  became a ritual for them.  First, they came to the pantry and then they went to the soup kitchen for supper.

UNDEREMPLOYED/UNDERPAID

For me, she wins the medal for being the most underemployed/underpaid  person in Woodstock.

Capable.

Well educated.

Creative.

Industrious.

Beautiful.

Goal oriented.

Excellent people skills.

Talented.

Stuck in Woodstock and almost starving to death, she was evicted at one point and moved in with a friend.  She barely  makes it from day to day.

DEATH OF A SPOUSE

“I’m so grateful to be here today.  I have someplace to go – the pantry.  Fred died one year ago today ” she said.

“Thanks for coming by.”

“I just never knew how hard it would be to live alone.  I don’t want to go to my children.  The food I get here really helps my budget.”

FOOD STAMP CUTS

“Thurman, my stamps have been cut again.   I don’t know how I’m going to make it.

I have absolutely no money this month.  My car died and  I don’t know where I’m going to get the $$$ to fix it.  If I can’t get the $$$ to fix it,  I can’t buy a a new one.”

ILLNESS

“How are you doing today?”

“Well, I’m here.”  The man speaking was dying of a brain tumor.  The pain clearly marked his face.  “The tumor seemed to be getting larger this week.  I go down to the hospital  every week for the chemo and they check it out.”

“If you’re ever too tired to come to the pantry, call and we’ll deliver the food to you.”

“No” he said.  “I’m going to come to the pantry as long as I can – for the social interaction if nothing else.”

TO SUM THINGS UP, THEY (WE) ARE HUNGRY BECAUSE THEIR (OUR) INCOME, FROM WHATEVER SOURCE, IS NOT ENOUGH TO MEET THE HIGH COST OF LIVING AS A POOR OR DESTITUTE PERSON.

Pantry HND1

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Peace and food for all.

Thurman Greco