Food is the Key
Posted by Chuck Scofield on Friday, September 9, 2011
Over Labor Day weekend, my wife, Beth, and I spent time with friends who also have children who recently returned to elementary school. We compared notes about teachers and classmates, post-summer bedtime adjustments, and varying degrees of exhaustion. Then the discussion turned to easing the transition to fully regimented days. All agreed on the most essential ingredient to a successful day. Food.
One parent, who also happens to be a teacher, said to us, “Food is the key.” The key to powering through the long day. The key to post-school re-entry, be it afternoon snack or an early dinner. The right timing can mean the difference between a meltdown overflowing with exhausted emotions and a somewhat peaceful opportunity to learn a little from your kids about their day.
This is far from new information, but it sure is most striking at the beginning of the school year. It’s a time filled with strong feelings for all involved. You want nothing more than for your children to be fulfilled. You aim for bliss and feel content with glimpses of happiness. You ache when they hurt. You grieve when they cry. You want them to want for nothing.
This is why it is so incredibly difficult to fathom the feelings of families who aren’t able to provide the key that is food for their kids — how they may be grateful for school’s steady stream of lunch returning to their children’s lives, yet they must wrestle with all that interferes with offering nourishing fuel in the morning or welcoming snacks and supper in the evening.
Raising children is difficult on any given day. It need not be made more difficult for the lack of food. But that’s exactly what’s happening for millions of families. Too many mornings, days and nights are being disrupted by hunger. Thanks to the great work of this organization, we’re proving this simply does not have to be the case. Though their parents may continue to struggle, kids can be surrounded with nutritious food throughout each and every day.
Thank you for everything you are doing to make sure we make No Kid Hungry a reality!
September 9, 2011 | 1 comment(s) | Tags: child hunger, food, no kid hungry
Comments
1 reader comment so far.
as a parent of a daughter whose family is the one out of six facing hunger issues, it is heartbreaking for me to realize that my daughter and three grand babies were either going hungry or eating rice or noodles. As a food advocate it is my job to advocate for all, but right now it is my job to advocate for my family. she uses the food pantries, she barters work hours in exchange for eggs and some other supplies. I helped out by buying staples and using angel food ministries.
we have got to talk to everyone we know to take care of families, children, and others going hungry. if you are unsure how to start, start small and go from there. You can't go wrong by helping.
Posted by Debra Brown on September 9, 2011
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