Our pre-school director informed us at the beginning of the school year that the school had taken on a new weekly service project. Each Thursday we would pick up 20 backpacks from the local coordinator and fill them with food to send home with children for the weekend.
Without these backpacks, these children and their siblings would likely not have anything to eat until breakfast at school the following Monday morning.
That, in itself, is heartbreaking. But what she told us next brought me to tears. “We will provide boxed milk and juice, canned foods, fruit cups, granola bars. They all have to be able to be easily opened by a child five and under. Often, these are young children and they will be alone, perhaps with younger siblings to also feed.”
I have a six year old, three year old, and 1 year old. The thought of them coming home on Friday night, looking through the bag, and planning how to make the food last throughout the weekend just takes my breath away. Imagining my six year old opening a fruit cup for my daughters… I cannot bear it.
Yet, this is a common occurrence.
Our children deserve better. We live in one of the most affluent countries in the world. Hunger, especially amongst children, should never be a problem.
And yet, it’s an enormous problem.
November 17-2013 is Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 46.5 MILLION people live in poverty in our country!
My state, South Carolina, is the 9th poorest in the country. Nationalhomeless.org reports that 1 in 5 children go to bed and wake up hungry. And in my very own city, we have hundreds of children who rely on the free breakfast and lunch program for their warm meals. In my neighboring school district there were over 1200 homeless children last year.
It breaks my heart. Again, I imagine a five year old fending for himself and taking care of younger siblings.
Here is one of the craziest statistics of all: in SC, a worker earning the minimum wage of $7.25 must work 79 hours per week, 52 weeks a year in order to be able to afford a two bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent (FMR.) SEVENTY NINE HOURS a week every week of the year. and in Columbia, in order to afford that, they have to make $14.34/hour.
What can you do to help during Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week?
I’ll tell you what I did. I donated four Thanksgiving packs to a foodbank. I am serving at a Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving at my church for those in our community who need it. And I am bringing my six year old son with me. And, I’ll be joining Jennifer in her monthly giving program by donating cash to our local food kitchen. Oh I also donated to the Scary Mommy Thanksgiving project to feed needy families.
No, I am not wealthy. Yes, this came out of my family’s grocery budget. But I can’t stand by and watch children go hungry.
Imagine if it was your child, anxiously awaiting his backpack of food.
There is a national Backpack program if you want to get involved, (Another Jennifer actually ran a whole piece on that today) or you can start your own local program by working with the social workers at your schools.
When you think about it, it’s outrageous.
Thanksgiving is coming next week. Be so thankful that you will have a wonderful feast. In recognition of Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, please consider donating to your local food shelters and give back. It’s so easy to donate a “Thanksgiving pack” – a canned ham, yams, boxed potatoes, green beans. You might spend $8 on that, and you can feed a family.
Today, and every day, I am so thankful that my children and I have never known real hunger. And I pray we never do.
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another jennifer says
November 22, 2013 at 10:32 amNearly a quarter of kids in Maine are food insecure. It kills me. I’m so glad you are joining me in this, though I’m not surprised. I’m sure your son will appreciate helping out, as mine did. I think it really hits home when they realize kids their age don’t have what they have. Hugs to you, Alexa!
another jennifer recently posted…Philanthropy Friday: Feeding Our Kids 7 Day a Week
katbiggie says
November 25, 2013 at 10:21 amI really hope that Bug sees the benefit of what we are doing and understands how much we have to be thankful for!
thedoseofreality says
November 22, 2013 at 10:56 amIt is just simply astonishing, and we feel exactly the same way you do. It is our DUTY to act, even if it means sacrificing something ourselves. No child should be hungry. Period. Excellent piece…the beginning totally made me cry.-Ashley
thedoseofreality recently posted…Pinterest Nightmare #132: The Pet High Chair
katbiggie says
November 25, 2013 at 10:22 amI know, I cried too when she told us. NO child should be hungry. Not in this country at any rate! So glad for all you ladies do to support this mission as well!
Janine Huldie says
November 22, 2013 at 11:08 amI, too, am just so thankful to never have to know what true hunger feels like and I truly thank you for sharing this today over at FTSF linkup, because it is a wonderful cause and truly hoping that many will help out and do their part for these children and their families!
Janine Huldie recently posted…Lily Ann Huldie Birth Story-What I Am Thankful for 3 Years Later-FTSF 44
katbiggie says
November 25, 2013 at 10:23 amYes, I thought it was a good fit for your FTSF linky this week! Glad I was able to participate AND get the message out!
Tamara says
November 22, 2013 at 11:50 amSo thankful I don’t know what true hunger feels like. My son..he’s only one. When he’s hungry for dinner, he carries on like a banshee. And he’s not truly hungry – he’s just impatient. And to think of him waiting and waiting and waiting..I really can’t handle it.
My husband and I have a strong pact that any extra money coming in these days is partly going to charitable causes for local children.
Tamara recently posted…My Very Thankful Heart.
katbiggie says
November 25, 2013 at 8:28 amVery proud of you and your husband’s commitment! That’s a really great thing to do. I can’t stand the thought of my kids being TRULY hungry either!
Kristi Campbell says
November 22, 2013 at 1:06 pmThe thought of children going hungry just wrecks me. My son is four, with speech and language delays and I can’t imagine him trying to figure out what to do if he were hungry and I was working 79 hours/week. I donated to the Scary Mommy Thanksgiving initiative as well and sponsored a family. I love the idea of sending backpacks home and appreciate you letting me know about this program. Perfect way to be thankful this week!
Kristi Campbell recently posted…Pilgrims. Dorky clothing and shattered illusions. And a defeated pizza boy.
katbiggie says
November 25, 2013 at 10:15 amI can’t stand the thought of my children fending for themselves either! Yes, please keep spreading the backpack program!
Dana says
November 22, 2013 at 2:46 pmI just came home from grocery shopping and filled our fridge. And kids are rationing their food so it lasts for the weekend – it’s just not right. I supported the Scary Mommy project, but it’s not enough. When will it ever be? I guess we just have to do what we can, and be thankful – so thankful – for what we have.
Dana recently posted…Oh, to be a teenager
Kenya G. Johnson says
November 22, 2013 at 5:20 pmWow I know this is everywhere but this in particular hit home because I am from Columbia, SC. By no means was I a fend for myself child, but my parents made some sacrifices so that I could eat. I wonder how much they made back then. I know my daddy was in construction when I was an infant, so if it rained he didn’t get paid. Wow, that for the message.
Kelly McKenzie says
November 22, 2013 at 6:17 pmSuch an important issue. I’m reminded of how I felt when I first read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It just isn’t right that kids go to school hungry. We, of course, have the same issues here in Canada. My children’s elementary school was just beginning to work on a support plan when my two moved up to the secondary school. I hear it is running smoothly now. Thank you for reminding me that the issue is still out there.
Kelly McKenzie recently posted…A Time to Be Thankful
katbiggie says
November 25, 2013 at 8:26 amOh my gosh, that book is SO amazing! I actually thought about it several times recently… the image of the 3 year old burning herself when she had to make her own mac n cheese. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Considerer says
November 22, 2013 at 8:43 pmGood for you, for this 🙂
Considerer recently posted…Ten Things of Thankful 25th Weekaversary Party
katbiggie says
November 25, 2013 at 8:27 amThank you Lizzi!