Feasting at our house.Did anyone read this headline?
USDA: Number of Americans going hungry increases
11/16/2009, 2:14 p.m. EST
HENRY C. JACKSON
The Associated Press
(AP) — WASHINGTON - More than one in seven American households struggled to put enough food on the table in 2008, the highest number since the U.S. Department of Agriculture began tracking food security levels in 1995.
That's 14.6 percent of U.S. households, or about 49 million people. The numbers are a significant increase from 2007, when 11.1 percent of U.S. households suffered from what USDA classifies as "food insecurity"-not having enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle.
The USDA said Monday that 5.7 percent of those who didn't have enough food experienced "very low food security," meaning household members reduced their food intake.
7 Haiku
By Butternut Squash
Twenty-one children
In our classroom, three are thinking
Only about their lunch
…
Grandpa…Grandma…Mom…
Dad…Brother…Sister and Me
Someone does not eat.
…
At school with the nurse
“My stomach hurts,” I tell her.
“Did you have breakfast?”
…
Dollar store Ramen
Peanut Butter, Canned Chicken
Seven year old soup
…
Grandma said she’s full.
Mom said she would eat later.
I eat by myself.
…
Bored, sitting in class
Dreaming of a feast, I doze
Teacher calls my name
…
1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, one child starving
She goes to heaven
Give Generously this Thanksgiving. There are a lot of people counting on you in the US and around the world.
Don't forget, http://www.freerice.com/
What a generous and loving post. Thank you for the reminder. We are in really tough times, and remembering the families that are going hungry is very important. We will give more generously this year, for sure.
ReplyDeleteSuch an important post, Butternut. So hard for the little ones, so hard for their parents to not be able to provide the basics for their children. Being aware and being generous are essential - and the least we can do.
ReplyDeleteThere is a free breakfast program in our school system that is constantly under fire. I just don't understand people who what to cut it from the budget. they must be very well fed.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sin how much food goes to waste in this country with so many people being hungry.
So good to be reminded. There are many ways we can help: Scouting for food, food banks, donations to churches and, most of all, being aware of our neighbors. Fun photo of the family.
ReplyDeleteAnd beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteyes, actually, i think about this very thing a lot - every meal time almost - and feel so badly when we discard leftovers - the past few years of holidays i've made it a point to try not to have such huge amounts served that so much is wasted - and it's so sad for the children - especially if no breakfast programs! we should all give more to such causes! thanks for beautiful reminder!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and wonderful haiku's I've read about it and its sad. We've the same here in NZ The red cross here has started projects to feed the children at school because many come without to school. It effects children in many ways when they don't eat enough or properly.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos
butternut thankyou for this post. my school - i am very proud to say - has a breakfast program and a lunch snack program. we also provide meals once a week for kindy parents who want to help their children move along while getting a really good dinner. it hurts deeply to know - and i do know - that there are kids and parents going without. my mum was always last to eat and i know there were nights when none of us ate. it's jo longer an acceptable "fact of life". so thankyou for your voice here. steven
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and wonderful post. The idea of anyone going hungry in this country is so shameful that it's beyond words. I've never understood how we can spend zillions on war - and ignore hunger and poverty.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Haiku..
ReplyDeleteHomeless and hungry in America.. Not new here in NYC. Every year, on the Big holidays, I and others volunteer to prepare and serve at local church, a great feast. Nothing pleases me more than to meet, greet, and serve at lovely tables, the more than 500 folks who show up, are seated in 2 huge gymns.. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!
I know this is true, the lack of food on plates and yet so much goes to waste in our country. So many people are over weight in our country, amazing that we do not have the know how to get the food we have to everyone!
ReplyDeleteYour poetry perfectly supports your message, so sad.
Beautiful post Jeri, I love the photos, your lovely haiku and the gentle reminder to share.
ReplyDeleteThank you. And we surely will.
Same as it ever was. Too much for some, too little for others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your beautiful post.
I tried to take your message into my heart, and what a good one it was.
ReplyDeleteThe other night I was driving in the snow and Canadian Public Radio was on and the numbers were staggering. More than the population of our country...in yours...hungry. Not to speak of those here that are hungry and elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI cried.
We've one present under our tree. It is a bag of food. We begin sending food out Monday.
xo
erin