Every Monday Matters Week 8: Help the Hungry

When people were hungry, Jesus didn't say, "Now is that political, or social?" He said, "I feed you." Because the good news to a hungry person is bread.  

Desmond Tutu

Welcome to Week 8 of our journey to make Every Monday Matter (#EMM). The task this week is to help the hungry.  The issue of hunger is a multi-faceted one and it affects families, children and senior citizens in a large way.  In fact, almost 50 million Americans are food insecure which is defined as not having consistent access to sufficient food.  Access may be limited by lack of money, lack of transportation or other lack of resources at different times of the month or year.  For many families, budgets have to be a juggling act where the food ball may be the one dropped. 

According to www.feedingamerica.org, every county in the U.S. has an issue with food insecurity - North Dakota reports 4% but Mississippi reports 33%.  

What can you do to help?  #BeIntentional 

1. Find a local food pantry and ask what they need. Provide it. 
2. Donate your time at a food pantry, distribution center, soup kitchen or homeless shelter. 
3. Look in your pantry.  Is there anything you could donate today? 
4. When was the last food drive in your community?  If you cannot remember, it is time for another one. Organize it. 
5. Purchase fast-food gift cards to have on hand so you can provide a spontaneous meal to feed someone who is homeless. 

If you haven't volunteered to serve food to those in need before, I hope you will consider it.  It is an excellent family project too!

As a nursing student, my capstone project was working with the homeless and I spent quite a bit of time serving in shelters and soup kitchens.  I must tell you that the simple act of providing a hot meal, a warm place to sit and friendly conversation helps more than the person being served.  It is an act of love that gives us an opportunity to show compassion in a very real and tangible way.  It is hard to think about anything else when the body is in a state of hunger or thirst.   

If serving doesn't quite fit for you.  Please consider a donation to your local food bank. Tuck a couple of fast-food gift cards in your car too.  

 Food Banks report that the following items are the most useful donations: 

Basics Foods

• Meals in a can (stew, chili, soup)
• Tuna and canned meat
• Peanut butter
• Canned food with pop-top lids
• Low-sugar cereals
• 100% fruit juice in single serving boxed
• Canned fruit packed in juice
• Canned vegetables (low-salt) 

Child-Friendly Foods

• Pop-top tuna
• 100% fruit rolls
• Raisins
• Graham crackers
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Cheese and crackers
• Fruit cups
• Pretzels
• Granola Bars (without peanuts) 

Sharing a meal is a great blessing so I hope you will #BeIntentional this week and remember the words of 

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta:  

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.   

Also, don't forget to Plant a Row for the Hungry when you start your gardens!  Thanks so much for visiting today.

Tomorrow we will look into the difference between raw honey and processed honey plus I'll share a recipe for a homemade cough syrup that uses honey and herbs.  (The ingredients were in my Homegrown Collective January Greenbox!)  I hope to see you then :) 

Peace be with you, 

Star Schipp  

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