Hungry Bellies

I was starving today. I rushed to Target before school pick up, and sat with some cheese and crackers, a bit of fruit, in my lap, ready to devour. This snack is nothing, though. Not a drop in my bucket, really. Just another quick bite of many other quick bites, big bites, hearty meals. 

This is nothing compared to the bags we packed for my son’s fellow schoolmates. No, I just wanted a little something, but those bags were filled with a lot more. Maybe a little everything they would eat over the weekend.

The counselor used words like: insecure, hiding food, storing food from the lunch room, asking for snacks multiple times throughout a school day. Embarrassed. Identified. Hungry. 

These words describe kids that sit next to my well-fed son. These kids walk the halls of a school filled with Nikes, Jansport, iPads, Organic lunches, Non-GMO snacks, braces, retainers, clean clothes...and all they want is something in their belly.

I am the first one to say that I am thankful for all I can give my kids, and I know that I take it for granted too much. But, I nearly lost it today at the matter-of-fact explanation of our target recipients of the sacks of Mac n cheese and granola bars. I could hardly keep it together.

These are babies. 

And they are hungry. 

And it IS up to those of us given much to care for them—no matter what. No matter background or bias.

Thank GOD for schools, counselors, teachers, administrations who must step in for the parents who just can’t give good things to their children—whatever their reason—because there is no reason NO EXCUSE that one child in this country should wonder how they will eat on a weekend.

Not one.