Have you ever been really hungry? Many would answer "no", but I bet you have. We tend to think of the word "hungry" only in relation to food. So for those that have never truly experienced hunger in that sense, it's difficult to relate and one goes about their life. It's only when they see a picture of someone with tattered clothes, a five day shadow on their face or a woman standing with a rag muffin child that society turns and say "oh, sad". Then for a moment, they rush a few cans of food to the local food bank or better yet, make a drop off at the grocery store because they don't even know where the food bank is located. That's alright, at least they made an effort and any help is greatly appreciated. One in eight Americans suffer everyday from the lack of food and many go without several meals a day; even days. What many don't realize is that the local food banks are set up as "emergency food assistance". They do great wonders with the donations they receive, but it is not enough.
The definition of hunger goes beyond food; it means discomfort; weakness; a strong desire. So again, have you ever been hungry? Chances are you have. Hunger is like a dirty diamond in the rough; it has many facets; each that shine brilliantly when the cloudiness is washed away. It's a matter of how we choose to look at it.
Sixteen years ago, I didn't look much different than the picture I have here on the blog. Maybe a few less wrinkles and better eyesight, but physically, not too different. I dressed pretty much the same. I think it is fair to say that my looks are not a fair assessment of what one would think as being a "hungry" person; one of discomfort; weakness; but perhaps a strong desire.
When I divorced my first husband, while it was my choice, I had not thought beyond how I would make ends meet with two small boys. I only knew that I wanted to be on my own and soon I found myself sitting at a Salvation Army with a boy tucked tight under each arm. By nightfall, I would have no place to go, no place to sleep and no vehicle. I moved to Montana because I had been here for a few visits and knew this would be a good, safe place to raise my boys. I just failed to have a plan. It was one of the worst times of my life and I had created it. Suddenly, complete strangers picked me up by my broken wings and took over. I can't even recall how I got from one place to the next; they literally were like angels carrying me. By nightfall, I was sitting in a little furnished studio apartment; groceries were on the kitchen table; milk was in the fridge and a lady said she would stop by in the morning to help me arrange day care so I could work; and my rent was paid up for about a month through a group called Neighbors in Need. It happened so fast I never got to say thank you.
While my story is not one of hunger for food, I had a strong desire; a hunger to make things right in my life; to get back on track. I was only down on my luck as many would say. I was starving for help as so many do today. Discomfort and weakness come in many forms and with today's recession, we are seeing it more and more. We were not prepared for a recession; we didn't have a plan. Rarely does one live by the rules of society that say we should have a three month emergency savings tucked away and it is times like these that we become hungry; unfortunately even a hunger for money. The lack of money can create a hunger beyond all others. It controls us; our relationships; what we do on a day to basis and even our food supply. We finally submit and ask for help. It's what we do from that point on that determines our success.
I survived my short lived discomfort and weakness through the help of others and by holding my head high in difficult times. I found a job and was fortunate to have a boss that would pick me up everyday for work, drop my boys off at day care and bring me home. Over time, I was able to get an apartment and bought a Radio Flyer wagon for transportation. The boys would ride in the wagon and when I had groceries, they walked beside me. I had slowly began my road to independence, barely paying my rent and living in somewhat of an empty apartment. I was so proud the day I bought a car for $125! Ran like a charm; well, kinda. I loaded up the boys and drove almost to Glacier Park out of sheer joy, but then turned around out of fear I would get lost. Little did I know at the time that the Park was only another mile down the road. A few months later I met the love of my life and have been with him ever since. Yes, he was truly an answer to my prayers and has raised my two boys as his own. Together we have a beautiful daughter.
A few years later after receiving my degree in Human Services (imagine that), I returned to the local food bank; this time as a paid Volunteer Coordinator. I soon realized that their efforts are simply not enough. Food banks are set up as "emergency assistance". A person was allowed twelve visits per year. That could be monthly, weekly, etc. When their visits were exhausted, they had to find alternative resources and often times there were none. During their visits, they were permitted one pound of meat; one pound in the form of either burger, lunch meat, bacon, etc. and ten pounds of food per family member. That's it. Many did not know what to make of the food that was provided and it ended up going unused. They were permitted, however, to visit daily for bread, doughnuts and other danishes that were not healthy for them; still it was food. It bothered me that at one time, I walked in their shoes, but I never saw how it all came together as the food bank and other agencies came to me. My needs were met and my situation truly was "emergency assistance". However, many rely on their services daily all over the nation. This is the hunger we as a society relate to and there are many ways we can help through volunteering with local agencies; donating to food banks; working with community supported agricultural programs, etc.
With all the joy and comfort I now have in my life, my hunger has never gone away. It is no longer a discomfort or weakness, but a strong desire to help others. Not only with their own lives, but to help them understand others who are down on their luck; hungry. My hunger is the strong desire to motivate others to get dressed even when there's nothing to do; let them know that it's alright to ask for help regardless of their status in the community; to tell them to fake it with a smile until things turn around; to encourage them to turn that discomfort and weakness into a healthy hunger; to help others have a strong desire to knock the dirt off that diamond and shine. What are you hungry for?
