What Hunger Looked Like Today

I started back at Metro Carering today after a three-week hiatus for Spring Break. When I arrived at 9 AM for the staff meeting, there was a line at least 10 people long, even though the doors don't open until 9:30. People who want to get in right away know they have to show up early, or risk waiting 2+ hours to be seen. Mondays are always busy, since most food banks are closed on the weekend, and today was especially busy since it was the end of the month.

There were only 3 counselors today doing intake so I tried to move quickly while still offering a "listening ear." People feel like they owe me an explanation for being at the food bank. I lost track of how many clients I saw today, but over half of them were brand new. They are embarrassed about asking for "hand outs" (their words, not mine) and I try my hardest to offer them help without offending what little sense of dignity and self-respect they have left.

I was struck today by how few of my clients were people of color. Many were single, white males. The first client I helped was a gentleman named Todd. Todd recently became homeless (I'm not sure why) and is living on the streets. Todd is a white male in his forties, and he has a college degree in Biology. He was accepted to a Master's program in Florida for their Marine Biology program but has no means to get there and start a new life in Florida. He recently had his wallet stolen with all forms of ID. Metro Carering helps people obtain new IDs but he was told he would have to call back on Friday to make an appointment for next week. In addition to requesting food and toiletries, Todd asked to see our collection of donated books...today our shelves were empty.

Alfred is another client I saw today. Alfred had his own home and painting business, but a year and a half ago, Alfred was riding his motorcycle through a busy intersection when he was struck by a pick up truck. He was taken to Denver Health (David's hospital!) where he laid in a coma for 35 days. He remained in the hospital for 4 months and underwent two brain surgeries to repair the nerves behind his eyes that had been knocked loose in the accident. He survived the accident, but has trouble finding work since the doctor refuses to sign off that Alfred can return to painting, carpentry, or welding. (His only skills) The doctor told him to find a "no stress job." (No stress jobs don't exist for people with limited education...)
Not only does Alfred have trouble finding work, but he is left with the $1.5 million in medical bills from his surgeries and lengthy hospital stay.

I don't expect all of you who watch our blog to read the lengthy stories I just posted... I mostly had to write it down because it weighs on my heart and mind. I also feel the need to convey that people who go to food banks are not trying to "work the system."

My friend Katie, who works at another food pantry in Denver, invited me to a book talk on Saturday. I hadn't read the book, but I went along anyway. The book is called "Closing the Food Gap: Resetting the Table in the Land of Plenty." (I provided a link below)

http://www.amazon.com/Closing-Food-Gap-Resetting-Plenty/dp/0807047309
It was REALLY interesting. The author talked about the food crisis that affects people living in poverty. I had heard of other books that addressed the problem our current system of food production places on the environment and how buying local will help the environment. What I liked about this author is he addresses the importance of making good, fresh, healthy food available to ALL people, not just people who can afford it alrleady.

It seems clear that hunger is merely a symptom of poverty, and if we want to alleviate hunger, we must do something about poverty. Mark Winne, the author, reported that people with low incomes receive 95% of their food from public sources (food stamps, WIC, etc) and only 5% from private sources (food banks). What this means to me is that churches should spend a lot more time focusing on increasing funding for food stamps, WIC, etc as well as paying attention to public policy that affects people living in poverty. Maybe we should spend an equal amount of time lobbying for an increase in minimum wage as we do stocking the shelves of food pantries...