Food Insecurity - What We Can Do

From The Missionary Messenger, Volume 12, Issue 15, January (Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 2021)

FOOD INSECURITY

- WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT!

Written by Sue Alexander Department Secretary, Hunger and Meals for Millions

Fifty million American people, fifteen million more than last year, suffer from food insecurity. Fourteen million children and twenty nine million adults in households suffer from food insecurity. One in four children and one in six adults in homes with children go hungry every day! Not included in these statistics are adults who are without children and the homeless. Approximately 18% of children in American households with food do not get enough to eat or go without a meal. Shocking. Yes! These numbers tend to equate to the population of some small countries and are far greater than the population of the largest cities in America. They were disturbing before the pandemic and are now astronomical; greatly impacted by the loss of jobs and school closures as results of COVID. Nevertheless, our neighborhoods and communities consist of people who are included in the numbers of those who are food insecure. Perhaps some of our church members, relatives or friends are among these numbers. Daily televised news shows repeatedly show long lines of cars and even people on foot who wait for hours to get food. Food banks and other agencies are struggling to provide enough food to meet the increase in demand by the millions of additional food-insecure families. Can we as CMEs, as missionaries, or as Christians do anything to help? Definitely! A small donation to the Food Bank, Salvation Army, Feeding America and other agencies or organizations that distribute food will benefit those who are hungry. Every dollar counts just as every vote counts. Donate groceries, choose a family to assist; meals for the elderly and grocery store gift cards are other ways to help. Although many of our food ministries have diminished because of the pandemic, we should find new and innovative ways to help. One person can make a difference, even if a small one. Luke 3: 11 states, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." Now is the time to share. An individual can help by preparing food packs to pass out to children, parents, single adults, the elderly and the homeless. [A tip that has been helpful to prepare such a nutritious pack is] to fill a gallon zip lock bag with:

• 7-oz peel-top containers of vegetables-corn, beans, peas, carrots • foil packs of Tuna, Spam or cans of

Vienna Sausage • fruit cups, applesauce cups • raisins • Granola or Oats 'n Honey Bars • cheese crackers, peanut butter crackers, Gold Fish, Ritz Bits • Nutri Grain Bars • Motts Fruits • packaged flatware • hand sanitizer • an unused trash bag and other items.

The bag holds enough for three small balanced meals. They are easily transported in a car to give to the food insecure. Our faith as Christ's disciples leads us to honor and do God's will; to love our neighbors as ourselves. Let's make the difference that God wants us to make, individually and collectively.

"There are two things God does with tables ... He turns them and He sets them." --Okima Havis

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