I would never move my family across the world unless I knew it was highly advantageous for their well being… honestly, I have looked into it. I have done quick searches on job availability and researched the lay of a far off land.
It is way more daunting than I have energy to consider seriously.
But I am not desperate. I am not in danger. And I am not raising my children on fumes of an empty bank account or pantry, or roofless home.
One day last summer, I met with a family who’d come all the way from one corner of the earth to my suburban corner with little more than the clothes on their backs.
I assume they didn’t have the luxury of job hunting first. I assume their situation was more in the way of desperation, depravation, and maybe even danger.
I looked into the eyes of their hungry child and noticed a glassy stare that slipped far away between our conversation. Slumped shoulders, unlaundered clothing, unclean hair. And yet…the glimmer of hope still remained, the smile still grew when I shared some information about free lunch in our community. And the shameless child handed me an EBT card, asking how they can get money on it for food. Because it wasn’t working any more.
To be honest, I didn’t really know what the EBT card was. Now I do.
After encountering not just adults, but helpless young children who can’t thrive with what has been passed down to them—whether another’s choices or their parents’ choices are root—I force myself to remember they are human and the bottom line is that humans need to eat. How can the happy and secure not feel obligated to help? How can those who govern the land think they have no responsibility for humans who hunger in their jurisdiction?
But, unfortunately, I know the mentality of such uncharitable refrain.
I remember messages of “those” people who don’t work and “mooch” off the government.“Those” people who make us feel uncomfortable because they don’t look like us, or talk like us, or even think like us.
I was raised to consider my value and my place being centered on my specific way of living.
And, while excuses float around about the “why’s” for that thinking, is there really any good reason to withhold aid when it comes to human life? Even if some take advantage and scam the system. I understand there are crooks. I still can’t agree that we aren’t obligated to feed people who can’t feed themselves. As a community or a government.
People need food to live. It’s the most pro-life thing to offer someone. It’s the most cruel thing to take away. No matter if someone is a saint or scoundrel. No matter if you are a church member or an atheist. No matter if you are a social worker or a politician. It’s your obligation to help people live.
Prejudice and greed are the only reasons to withhold a crumb from a child, that I can see.
So, I am trying to figure out how I can help more. I know where my food bank is. I know they will be the most hopping place in the land come Saturday. I think we will amp up our offering.
Do you know where your food bank is?
If you encounter humans today, remember, they need to eat too.
angie dicken 