When I was a little girl, I often wondered about hungry people. I had heard about them. My mom told me,” People are starving all over the world.” Where were they? What were they doing?
During my sophomore year in college, I moved off-campus—in an attempt to save money. I would not have to pay for a meal card or college housing fees. Well, the plan my roommate and I made didn’t go as we believed it would. Needless to say, it wasn’t long before we were barely able to cover our rent and we didn’t have much food. We looked for restaurants with a dollar menu, or happy hours with all-you-can-eat food with the purchase of a beverage–until Management caught up with us!
One day we broke down and agreed we needed help.
The waiting room had dated furniture, old framed artwork and fishing magazines on the tables. I scanned the room. An older man, with slightly-dirty clothes and beard, a middle-aged woman with a bunch of bags, another man–who was talking to himself—and me.
It was as if I was shocked to see her–to see me sitting there. It hit me—I’m one of them! I mean…I’m just like those people. Those people were what I called them.
I was startled when the receptionist called my name to let me know it was time to see my caseworker.
I tried to smooth out my clothes and quickly pat down my hair—hoping to improve my appearance. The worker was very pleasant and asked the standardized questions. He asked about my needs and wanted to know how I ended up there. My mind flashed back to the people in the waiting room. I had a story just like they did. I should never judge.
I left with a few can goods and $20. My roommate and I felt like we hit the lottery! They gave her two bags of food for us to share. I used my twenty dollars to purchase some personal items we needed.
The character, integrity and empathy of our children are shaped by demonstration and motivation. We teach our children as we model behavior. This develops their standards for behavior in life and creates room for them to mature into meaningful, thoughtful and empathetic adults.
I’m grateful for the values and seeds my parents deposited in my life. Equally, I’m thankful for the hunger pangs I experienced.
“People are starving all over the world.” We hunger for food, we hunger for peace, we hunger for justice.
Let our mindfulness of deprivation inspire us to serve and make this a Lovely World.
by Sheila A.O. Champions Change Lives
Read Printed Books | Love Your Neighbor | Do More Together
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