Hunger in America?

For one of my class I had the option to volunteer.  We were provide a list of places that we could volunteer at.  As I looked over the list and was hoping for a place close to home, I saw the local Food Bank.  I contacted the person listed and she got right back to me.  I have been going there once a week now.  To say this experience has been humbling is beyond words.  I never really thought about fixing dinner or other meals for my family.  I just would notice each day it was getting to be that "time" and try to figure out what to cook.  I took for grant there was a cupboard full of cans and a freezer full of food stuff. 

As I walk with these people through the pantry and ask them what they would like, I find myself thinking there is really not that much of a choice here.  Then to realize this is all we can give them for a month of meals, just shocked me.  It makes me wonder how we can worry about Syria, Afghanistan and other places when in the United States 1/3 of the population is hungry.  Last year, 49 million people in this country did not know where there next meal was coming from.  How is this acceptable in the land of the plenty?

The number of people, families and individuals on some type of food program is at an all time high.  This is not including those where there religious facilities maybe assisting with food.  It seems that we need to worry more about feeding the nation, than if they have insurance coverage.  Isn't the cornerstone of health eating healthy and regularly?  I think that Congress needs to look at the facts surrounding the SNAP program.  States can set their regulations on assets, savings, and how long the person can receive assistance.  There needs to be a stable guideline on a Federal level with the focus on the children in need. 

On thing that concerns me also is the waste that the government is creating so much waste while trying to force healthy eating on our school age children.  Children are not going to be told what to eat, especially by in a school cafeteria setting.  The number of fruits and vegetables that are going straight to the trash can are appalling.  To have the first lady push that it must be on the child's tray is not working.  These kids are taking these things because they have to, then they are throwing the straight into the garbage with out even touching them.  These things could be given to the local Food Pantries before the spoil and to people that will eat them.

The next time to see the food drives in your community, realize that even though you may only place one can of vegetables or a box of macaroni in that box, someone is going to appreciate it for what it is to them.  Food for them and or their family.