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Christianity Today, April, 2009 |

Hunger Has a Profile

Working at my local food pantry helped me personalize the statistics.

Cindy Crosby | posted 4/29/2009 08:59AM

First out of the donation bag were the chocolate Santa Clauses, long after the Christmas season was over. Next was a can of Campbell's soup, three years past its expiration date. An assortment of foil-wrapped ...

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Julie

Posted: May 08, 2009 12:24 PM

To Maryann who said, "Just see what's in the cart when people pay with stamps": That is none of your business. Instead of obsessing about those who abuse the system, be grateful that you don't have to depend on food stamps or other forms of assistance. Keep in mind that many poor people are overweight because it is more challenging to buy healthy food on a budget (and a major reason our kids are fat is because of chemicals like MSG, which lead to obesity). As someone who has struggled financially, I mostly bought pasta and rice during those lean times because they are the least expensive items in the store. I am sure all that starch didn't help my figure, but it would have been nice to have had a choice. One of my relatives, a single mom, cooked nothing but rice and hotdogs for several months because her job barely paid enough to cover rent, and that's all she could afford. Instead of being so judgmental against the poor, try having a little compassion like Jesus did.

Dorothy

Posted: May 01, 2009 2:30 AM


Thank you Cindy for this story, which is so well written with sensitivity and understanding as well as love for the people you are serving and the work you are doing. God bless you and those who work in this field plus those who donate. Lord give encouragement too please to these same people and especially when times are difficult whether they are serving or receiving.

DianneA

Posted: April 30, 2009 2:23 PM


Good stuff.

Johanna

Posted: April 30, 2009 2:03 PM

I am a single mom and went through a season of unemployment. I was able to receive food stamps which helped me a great deal, but I did not get cash, drugs, booze or cigarettes with it. I tried to stretch it out as much as I could feeding myself and my two small children until I was able to get a job again. While Sally and Maryann are right, people will abuse the system, it is not all of the people on it. And the sad fact is, unti the church steps up and helps people out like they used to, welfare and food stamps will still exist. The government didn't assist before, it was the church. If I knew that my church would help out I wouldn't "abuse" the system by requesting assistance. I don't know how it is in other states, but here in New York City I hated going to the food stamp office. You are treated like an animal by most of the staff. Given the choice, I would never set foot in one. Please have compassionate for the less fortunate like the author. God bless.

SALLY

Posted: April 30, 2009 7:32 AM

I agree with Michelle that "There will always be people who take advantage and do not use well charitable giving, and those who really need it, use it well, and are grateful. We are responsible only for being Christ's hands and feet, for what is in our own heart." However, these days our only recourse to fighting welfare fraud and abuse is the voting booth. We have to be alert when we march ourselves to the voting booth and make a decision about for whom to cast our votes and what that candidate's plans are for our taxes. There is ENORMOUS waste and fraud associated with our welfare system. I PERSONALLY know people who consider it a badge of honor to figure out how to "work" the system. It is not considered shameful to do so but a sign of being smart. The most heinous example of this is the birthing of a child in order to receive "a check". And folks like me who object to this sinful abuse of a system meant for good are considered "unchristian" and racist.

pete Benson, editor UNITYINCHRIST.COM

Posted: April 30, 2009 7:25 AM

This article really clearly explains the importance of our small weekly donations to these Christian food kitchens and centers. As the economy worsens, what we give will help fill in the gap that the government can't possibly fill. The gospel walks forward on two legs, as Franklin Graham has said in his book titled Tenwick. One is through the proclamation of the Gospel of salvation, via print and spoken word, the other is providing the tender merciful help to those less fortunate that us, in the name of Jesus Christ. As the body of Christ, and the future Bride of Christ, we have the responsibility to do what Jesus himself would do in our place if he were here on earth today, what Jesus did do in his 3 1/2 year ministry on earth, where he could have healed upwards of an estimated million helpless souls in Judea. There is always a decent number of people who have been fed or healed in the name of Christ, who come to Christ, by our putting our offerings and money where our mouth is.

Michelle

Posted: April 30, 2009 6:10 AM

There will always be people who take advantage and do not use well charitable giving, and those who really need it, use it well, and are grateful. We are responsible only for being Christ's hands and feet, for what is in our own heart. I challenge everyone to plant a few tomatoes, or a twelve foot garden, whatever you may have room for, and donate a portion to your local food pantry. This kind of healthy food donation, plus truly seeking to donate grocery items that will go a long way to staving off hunger, will change everyone around you, including you!

Laura

Posted: April 29, 2009 11:19 PM

Thank you, Cindy, for a well-written article. My community on South Whidbey Island in WA State is fortunate to have a community-supported food bank. Last year Good Cheer Food Bank served more than 4,000 people, 36% of whom were children. There are more than 340 volunteers, a food points system where clients "shop" in what resembles a small grocery, a new vegetable garden being developed on the front lawn, and two thrift stores and a used clothing boutique which support the food bank with their sales, along with generous donations. It's a win-win situation of voluntarism, generosity, and recycling which equates to a hunger-free community. Take a look at www.goodcheer.org. The food bank is well supported by our local churches and shows what can be done when people work together for the benefit of neighbors in need.

Maryann

Posted: April 29, 2009 7:42 PM

Despite generous food stamp allotments, some are still hungry for the wrong reasons. For instance, stamps purchase soda, candy, chips and pricey junk food that quickly depletes the allotment. Just see what's in the cart when people pay with stamps. Then many sell their allotment for 50 cents on the dollar to get cash for drugs, booze and smokes. They take the buyer shopping, pay with the card & the buyer gets food half price and the other gets cash. Yes there are truly people in great need, but the average food stamp shopper buys junk food. Rather than giving out more, the gov. should regulate what can be purchased & eliminate unhealthy junkfood. Look at how fat our kids are, and poor people in general.

Anna	Posted: April 29, 2009 6:25 PM

I donate all the time and have no qualms about doing so, but, I have a question. Where are the Federal food stamps that are supposed to help people who have no food. I thought that's what this program is all about. Why are food pantries doing what the so called government with all its welfare and social agencies (I include both State and Federal) are supposed to be doing. I mean for what food the article says to donate, gees, food stamps should be able to handle this. Perhaps the State and Federal governments need to "change" where our tax money is going. I get the feeling that our taxes are being wasted on something other than feeding the populace. And considering what taxes we are paying, I'm getting a little irritated right now that food pantries are even needed in this country.

MC	Posted: April 29, 2009 4:08 PM


Excellent Article - I grew up in Glen Ellyn (and haven't been back in years) so this story hit me really strong... I pray this motivates people to give in these troubled times GOD BLESS

Maggie

Posted: April 29, 2009 3:47 PM


Beautiful, thought-provoking writing, as always, from Cindy Crosby. Your well chosen words open a window for us into this world.

Dave	Posted: April 29, 2009 12:04 PM

Cindy, Thank you for writing this article. I Live in a small town in the midwest, and 5 months ago, for the first time, I dropped off a donation to the food bank which is just down the street from where I live. I have now dropped of donations two more times. Each time I have sensed such a great thankfulness on the part of the staff working at the food pantry. The most recent time I took my son, who is 10, with me, and while waiting to give our donation he noticed a family that we are aquainted with shopping for food, and would never have guessed that they needed assisitance. Even though I have known that the food pantry has existed there for some time, it has been an eye opener for me. People simply need help! All kinds of people.

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