What Can You Give?

As I tighten my belt, my Raw food meals have become increasingly simple. I don't miss the prepared foods or superfoods as much as I thought I would. Truthfully, we could afford to keep eating as we always have, but it would be foolish. The economic future can't be predicted, and we want to be prepared for whatever comes. That means cutting back where we can, paying off debt, investing wisely, and saving.

But what of those for whom the economic crisis has already been a life-changing event? Imagine choosing between paying for your home or buying food for your family. Not a nice choice to have to make.

Recently our church did a huge food drive to help stock local food banks. (What I love about my church is the ACTION it takes.) They even encouraged young children to bring in boxes of their favorite cereal to be donated.

Since then, Wonder Girl and I have been picking up a few extra things each week when we grocery shop. No, we can't just donate Raw food. We recognize that it would be ideal to give the healthiest food available, but that's not practical. Our goal right now is simply to make sure one less child misses a meal. So we buy the best quality cereal and canned goods we can find. We buy extra boxes of quinoa and lentils, and canned veggies. After a few more weeks, we'll donate it all.

What can you give? Every box, can, or bottle makes a difference. Look for sale items and buy what you can afford to donate. Skip a meal out, and use what you save to help someone else eat. Let's make sure no one goes hungry in this country. We voted for change, and our president-elect called for sacrifice. Filling plates and stomachs is a great place to begin.

A Seat at the Table

I, Too, Sing America

by Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

Feed All the People

So many want to ignore the issue of race in the contest for the American presidency, to pretend it matters not at all, while candidates pat and turn for the Black vote. These are the same people who would testify that race is no longer a divisive or defining factor in this country, and point to Mr. Obama's serious bid for the Democratic nomination as evidence. Then there are those of us who live in the real world.

USA Today recently reported that most large cities in America lack sufficient full-service grocery stores to serve their populations. (Don't worry; there's a liquor store on every corner, along with a place to buy Cheetos and soda.) It's difficult to eat healthfully when you've got to take two buses and walk several blocks to get to a produce section. Under those circumstances, would you buy 5 pounds of bananas or a few boxes of processed corn breakfast? Maybe they should just stroll down to the local farmer's market? Some cities are looking at incentives to bring fresh air markets to these areas, but not much has been done to date.The citizens in these inner-city areas are disproportionately brown, and almost 100% low-income.

So many want to point to Mr. Obama as the realization of Dr. King's dream. But Dr. King's heart belonged as much to the working class as it did to us middle class Black folks. What can be said of a nation in which something as basic as healthy, living food (not to mention health care) is out of reach for so many? Some dreams are still deferred.

***Photo By Pam Spaulding, The Courier-Journal