Monday, February 1, 2010

From a Friend to a Stranger


A Not So Obvious Problem
I don't how it happened after I lost my job mid summer last year. But somewhere along the way I got inspired about what was going on. How could I not know? How could I not see? Something that was probably more obvious than I ever imagined, and it was right there all along. Here in Orange county. And there in San Diego county. And definitely, in Los Angeles county. That something was and is, hunger.


I didn't see it because it is hidden. It is hidden because it is an ugly truth, and we don't want to see it. With all the beauty and wealth in this area,
why would we choose to see something
so scary?
I didn't think it existed. How is that possible?

Until it arrives in your own backyard, or you read a compelling human interest story about it, or experience it personally, how could you know about our hunger problem? I didn't know until I started digging to learn more about it. How many people were affected by hunger. How many people choose to pay a bill instead of feeding themselves a meal. How many people don't have enough to eat every day. Startling numbers that impacted not only adults, but innocent children affected daily by not having enough to eat. Also I learned sadly enough, San Diego county has one of the least utilized food stamp programs in the United States, with the lowest enrollment percentage nationwide. Why? This insanely debt ridden state has dollars going to waste because of a lack of program use due to administrative hassles, making it difficult for those applying. The food stamp program was developed to feed those that can't afford to pay for food and to incite economic activity. Fair to say with a categorically low usage rate, the mission of the program has lost the focus of the original charter.

Startling Local Numbers on Hunger

Locally, estimates range from
anywhere from 300,000-480,000 out of an estimated 3,000,000 in San Diego county fall into a category created by the USDA designated as "food insecure". In San Diego county, this directly affects 180,000 children. I wanted to know what does that mean? Does that mean sometimes they have enough to eat and sometimes they don't have enough to eat? The answer is basically. There is a reluctance to identify this as "hunger" anymore, because we are the United States and we don't have those problems that affect the rest of the world. Certainly not hunger. After all, the United States helps the rest of the world fight hunger. But, oh yes, we do have this problem, and it's a crisis. I guess the saddest part is that even though there are amazing collaborative efforts and organizations out there to help and resources focused on this, the problem exists and remains a crisis. For example, to break down the food insecure population in San Diego, 2/3 affected are head of household women and 1/2 are working families. Surprisingly only 12% are homeless and 10% are elderly. So this means that people for the most part are working, and working hard, and still don't have enough to eat on a regular basis. In our own backyard.

The Woman Who Came To My Doorstep

I was startled at my home earlier today when a woman was at my doorstep. I don't live in an urban area. The people on my street have owned their property for decades. It's a blend of owners who have old wealth, or had some good luck and timing, with many folks renting in between. Solicitors don't sell door to door in this neighborhood as a rule. But this woman today was selling tamales for $1 a piece. At first I was taken aback. I didn't stop to think for a moment why she was selling tamales door to door in Dana Point, just steps from the oceanfront, amass million dollar homes and views to die for. No, I bought her tamales and thanked her and sent her on her way. I didn't see that she might be hungry, but I could tell she didn't have much. And after all she was selling tamales, so she must have food. But after she left, I stopped for a moment to realize she was selling tamales door to door to pay for something. What would it take to get to the point where you were going door to door to sell tamales? The answer is very simple. Not having enough. In my own backyard. At that moment of that encounter, I was a friend to a stranger, buying tamales from her, exchanging money for food. This perfect stranger who came to my doorstep to sell me what she had made in her kitchen. And after I closed my door, it was only then, I began to wonder what was her life like. This woman was doing whatever it takes to get by.

As tears welled up in my eyes, I had a very spiritual moment and while I'm generally thankful for all the goodness in my life, at this moment I was ever more so. I wanted to go find her and talk to her. But the moment had passed as quickly as I shut my door after my purchase and our transaction. I thought, my life is not always not perfect or easy, but it's highly unlikely that I will ever have to sell tamales door to door to feed my family or to pay my bills. Or at least I think that is the truth. The image of her burns in my head like a photograph.

A Crisis In Our Own Backyard

And I think, in reflection, because we don't face that woman everyday or see her around our corner, or maybe we do see her and don't want to admit that image is what not having enough looks like... this is why we have a hunger crisis going on in this country. Amongst all this beauty and wealth, success, ambition and drive and having more than we ever thought possible as children, there is a dirty local secret. Hunger exists and it's in our own backyard. I didn't know about hunger. And now because of research and learning, coupled with personal experience, I do. I am inspired to share this message because how can you be expected to know about something, that isn't so obvious? I have to share the message and pass it along- I hope you do as well. And that is how ultimately we all can make a difference for a cause. The more people that know about the hunger issue we have between Orange and San Diego county, the better. It's a problem that will affect all of us in ways we can't quantify unless we stop and think about the impact hunger has on our communities in every aspect socially, financially and physically.

Meals4Hunge
r Mission: Eradicate Hunger Locally
I am consulting with Meals4Hunger, a non-profit organization, that is trying to make a difference in a socially conscious way. We invite you to learn more about Meals4Hunger. The organization is committed to sharing the most current information on this crisis and educating and creating awareness about it. Founded by surgeon Sunil Bhoyrul, MD, the mission is very simple, Eradicate Hunger Locally.

Let's face it. Hunger does exist in our own backyard. And it really shouldn't. There's plenty to go around. Or at least, more than we realize.


I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.


-Jenn

Jennifer M. Cook








Office: 949.218.0958
Email: jenn@rejuvenatemarketing.com