I lost my job because of Covid-19

Have you thought about the possibility of that being a statement you would make? Have you heard it from friends and family? Are you aware of the real need this has created? In America, we are experiencing a massive shift with hunger due to Coronavirus.

Certain people are hungry. I mean the fearful kind of hunger where people can’t buy food because they can’t afford it. People literally, overnight lost their job and so did their mates because of Covid-19. Forget paying mortgages or car payments, the immediate priority is simply finding food.

After realizing how dire their situation is people make calls or go online to find out what assistance is out there. They may think where is a food bank? How can I get food for my family? This followed by the slow walk to the car in total despair because this happened through no fault of their own. Many are embarrassed, having to ask for help and are feeling vulnerable. They may feel desperate hoping this situation will not drive them to ruin.

Food scarcity and food insecurity have always bothered me. It bothers me to my core, it is visceral. Recent events trigger my inner impulse to discover an appropriate way to help and inspire people.

Hopefully, you have seen the multitude of images showing massive turnouts at well-organized food distribution points. Recognizing the number of people in this unfortunate situation moves me to cry. It deeply grieves me to witness the suffering, especially to young children and the elderly.

This is not a post about food insecurity and why it should not happen in America. Rather, it is a post of gratitude for the organizations, staff and volunteers who run our community food banks and emergency food lines around our country. “Thank you” does not cover the gratitude I feel for people and organizations volunteering and donating money to these groups. This is a wake-up call to me and to everyone who is not suffering from food insecurity. We need to pay attention and realize certain people deserve and need assistance. It is a call to action for those of us able to help, to pause and remember many fellow Americans are not quite so fortunate. The question becomes-will you help?

The breadlines of today are not the ones of 1930. The 2020 breadlines have incredibly long lines of cars with people waiting patiently for boxes of food to feed their families. In Atlanta, these lines queue up at 4 am to obtain food supplies. Up to 70% in the current food lines have never been to a food bank before. The National Guard has been called in to pack, sort and deliver food. The Food banks are overwhelmed and struggling. Now is the time to ask yourself, “How can I help?”

Donations of food to Food Banks are greatly reduced because Grocery stores are sold out and restaurants are not open. Food Banks need money. They do not necessary want your few cans of old beans, even though they appreciate it…they need money. For the price of every can you donate, they can buy nine cans from food wholesalers. America does not have a food shortage. We have supply chain issues and fellow Americans who cannot afford food due to the pandemic. For every $1.00 you donate to a food bank, they can source and create four meals. If you give $100.00 you would be donating 400 hundred meals.

It’s a thought for people who are able, to consider giving $5, $10 or $250 depending on your abundance. Americans have been slayed by this virus and the mitigation. If you are asking yourself “how can I help?” this may be an option.

These pictures are from all over the country. I am sure you have seen them, the cars waiting in line at Food banks.

Brene Brown in her talk on vulnerability, Sympathy versus Empathy, is a mindful read for this time.

Sympathy drives disconnection. Empathy fuels connection.

Brene talks about the four qualities of empathy:

1)      Perspective, recognizing the other’s perspective and recognizing it is their truth.

2)      Staying out of judgement.

3)      Recognizing emotions in other people and communicating that. Empathy is feeling with people. She says empathy is a sacred space, when someone is in a deep hole and shouts out I am stuck, It’s dark and I am overwhelmed, you go down and you say I am here and you are not alone.

4)      Empathy is a choice, because in order to connect with another you must connect with something in yourself that knows the feeling.

I will never tire of the slogan “We are in this together” because I am constantly reminded of the Golden Rule- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

“Let your light shine as an inspiration to humanity and BE THE REASON someone believes in the goodness of people.”

Until we meet again,

 Sat Nam,

Jan