Hunger

[hippywife]

I heard this on NPR on the way home: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125299636

I hope everyone will listen to the story rather than read the transcript. It's very moving.

I wanted to post this here because things like this are always, always in the back of my mind when I am cooking and when we are all posting the elaborate things we are making. None of us obviously currently know real hunger, some of us never have.

If everyone in this country who is able gave to organizations that feed the homeless or adopted a family in need, I'm betting we could see true hunger disappear in America.

Here's to wishing and hoping it can and will be done. :hug:

[TreasonousBastard]

1. I heard part of this earlier, and just saved the mp3...

in addition to some larger networks, we have a few local food banks and open kitchens around here.

I give some already, but I'll be giving more.

[Warpy]

2. I've had periods of real hunger

and it hurts worse than you can imagine, that gnawing at your midsection and the knowledge there isn't a grain of rice left in the jar and nothing else around and no way to get it for days. It's horrible. It's doling out just enough food to keep your stomach from hurting if you have it because you know how long it's going to be until you can afford to replenish your stocks.

So yeah, that's one of the top charities on my yearly list.

[housewolf]

3. Warpy, I hope those days are far in your past

I'm so sorry that you've had to endure such scarcity. I hope all your remaining days are bounteous and prosperous ones.

[hippywife]

4. I'm so sorry that you had to experience that.

I'm sorry anyone has to experience it.

[pengillian101]

6. So yeah, that's one of the top charities on my yearly list.

Indeed! I found my local foodshelf and give to them. We live in such a rural area, and others may also, so a google search might be good!

[hippywife]

11. It's especially important in rural areas.

There aren't as many services available as there are for those who live in a city. :hi:

[pengillian101]

5. None of us obviously currently know real hunger, some of us never have.

Well I have. Newly divorced 30 years ago, I really DID live on toasted bread and water until that new job paid me.

It can be done. Unpleasant!

[tango-tee]

7. I've never experienced REAL hunger,

but after my marriage fell apart I lived in California, a foreign national from Europe formerly married to an American, with my young son, and no relatives to turn to for help in this huge country. I ate mustard sandwiches for weeks on end so that I could afford daycare for my son. We were very fortunate, they fed the children good, hot meals at lunchtime. I had a really sorry-assed job at the time. Enough to pay the bills and get basic groceries plus a bit of fresh fruit such as apples and oranges, but not a dime left over. Not a time I remember fondly.

But we survived and times got better. And I've always loved to cook - not only for myself, but for friends and family - and of course, I've always loved to eat good, nourishing food. Food for the soul. And now, so many years later, my sweet daughter-in-law is asking me to join her in the kitchen and we cook together for the extended family. What a blessing.

[hippywife]

14. That must have been so scary for you.

Glad you had the wherewithal to keep pushing. :hug:

[tango-tee]

17. Thanks, hippywife!

And let me say right here that I love your mouth-watering posts. They make me want to get into the kitchen!

Making chicken jambalaya tomorrow....

:toast:

[kestrel91316]

8. My first year out of vet school, after I got moved to my first job but

before that first paycheck, I got down to my last $11. I bought a big sack of potatoes, a big sack of onions, a can of shortening, and a dozen eggs.

I made it. I don't care to repeat it.

[pengillian101]

10. That was good thinkin'

"I got down to my last $11. I bought a big sack of potatoes, a big sack of onions, a can of shortening, and a dozen eggs."

I was into baking really yummy sunflower, whole wheat and honey bread at the time and that's what I ate. I did have butter that I remember melting...on that really good toast. So it's not really a bad memory. ;-)

[hippywife]

12. Sorry you had to go through that, too.

:hug:

[yellerpup]

9. I finally had a chance to listen to the NPR program on hunger.

It is heartbreaking to hear stories of starvation. Having almost starved to death from a medical condition between 2004-2007 (It ended in 2007 because I had health insurance for medication and surgery to correct the problem) I know how painful it is to be hungry. Donate to local food pantries. Buy a meal for someone if they can work up the courage to ask for help. Buy them a whole bag of groceries if you can swing it and check back with them. One of my neighbors is certifiably bat-caca crazy, but when she told me she had not been able to buy food, I told her to come knock on my door anytime she needed a meal. I fed her that night and several nights since then--she managed to get some food stamps--but when she's short she knows she will not have to do without. That she was always welcome to share my supper and that she should not hesitate for a second. Every day, I go to this site: http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1 It donates one cup of food a day to someone in the world who is hungry and it costs nothing, just bookmark it and click it and you will make someone's life a little easier for a day. Thanks for bringing this to our attention HW, sometimes all it takes is a hint. :loveya:

[hippywife]

13. You're a doll, yeller.

Like I said, all it would take is for one person to take care on another. I just know it can be done.

:loveya: :*

[yellerpup]

15. You're a cockeyed optimist, hippywife.

And I love you for it. Also for this compassionate thread. :pals:

[hippywife]

16. Without hope

life isn't even worth livin', babe.