This year the reminder arrived in an email. The reminder that childhood food insecurity continues to be an issue, made worse by these past fifteen months of pandemic life.
“Can you help?”
A few years ago, this question arrived at our home on a postcard in the mail. Without much thought, it sat on the counter with the mixture of bills and sales fliers. Until my then seven-year-old son walked into the kitchen, his piggy bank money in hand, “Mom, I want to help. Children should not go hungry.”
Apparently, he had read the postcard and its plea for help had not gone unnoticed. This simple act by a small child years ago began a ripple effect. Inspiring our family to get more involved in the issue of food insecurity, even inviting others to join us.
We are blessed to live in a community where people are actively engaging in working together to eliminate food insecurity. The other day as I walked by the library two ladies with a card table and crockpot dished up meals to the homeless gathered on the lawn. School lunches have been free to any child this past year, regardless of income level. And they are always available for free in the summer, no questions asked. Our local food pantry provides more than food. It also sponsors cooking classes, community gardens, education, and support, plus hosts seventeen food pantries housed in the schools throughout our community.
But here’s the sad reality I am learning. While all this work is fantastic, it is still making only a tiny dent in the more significant issue of food insecurity and childhood hunger. As a mom of two active growing boys, I have begun to realize the considerable cost of keeping them feed. Especially if you want to provide healthy options, it was not uncommon for my oldest to eat free school lunch and bring additional food from home to eat this past year. A meal for another child, he often eats as a snack multiple times throughout the day.
As my grocery bill climbs due to higher food costs and increased food consumption, my heart aches for the many families struggling to feed their children. For the many children not getting enough to eat or without access to healthy food options.
There are so many issues in our world today. It can be overwhelming to figure out how to help and in reality, we cannot take on every issue we are confronted with. Even when we do step in to help, what our family can do is small in comparison to the overall problem. Yet, continuously I am reminded of the incredible difference we make when we put together many small acts of love.
My seven-year-old son had a few dollar bills and a hand full of coins, but his small act of generosity inspired a deeper awareness and further generosity. This recent email, a reminder of my once seven-year-old son’s response, reminds me of the story found in the gospel of Mark about the widows offering.
Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.”
So, I wonder if living a generous life is less about having the means to give a lot
and more about giving generously from what you have?
You might only have a few dollar bills and a handful of coins, but it matters.
