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the face of hunger

September 20, 2010 on 9:53 pm | In Main Category | No Comments

The Hunger Challenge is over. But, for most food stamp recipients, the struggle drags on. The struggle lasts much longer than seven days. For many, the struggle lasts forever.

The end was bittersweet. I celebrated with a glass of red wine – a lusciously bold Syrah from Portland, Oregon. But, as I put my lips to the glass and carefully swallowed the first sip I felt a strong sentiment of guilt come over me. The image of the homeless man sleeping on the corner of Polk and California immediately came to mind. Hunger would not go away for him tonight.

I learned a lot during the course of the week. I learned how to overcome my body’s wishes and demands. I arrived at the realization that my life is completely and absolutely food-centric. I experienced un-ignorable hunger. I determined that to obsess over the cost of every swallowed morsel is existentially exhausting. I developed an appreciation for things I normally take for granted – a cup of coffee, a juicy apple, a meal shared with friends, a glass of wine.

I learned that eating healthy is nearly impossible on a tight budget. Because I purchased brown rice and whole wheat bread rather than the cheaper alternatives (white rice and white bread), I was left with less money to spend on other food groups. Specifically, I could not afford fruit, vegetables, or dairy. As a result, my diet was deficient in vitamins and calcium. The reality is that individuals who are food insecure cannot agonize over the finer nuances of nutrition. Before they can worry about grams of protein they must worry about getting enough food. While this seems like a basic concept, I sense that it is often overlooked by the middle- and upper-classes. Think about it. Have you ever vilified a homeless person for eating a Big Mac or a Snickers?

I went to brunch Sunday morning with one thought on my mind: Food. I ordered Smoked Salmon Benedict with a side of fresh fruit and an iced coffee. The meal was incredible and I ate until I was uncomfortably full. I was uncomfortably full because I had eaten too much, but even more so, because there are millions of people in the world who never feel full.

Hunger is not inevitable. In fact, we have enough food to feed the world more than once. That says to me there is a solution. And that says to me there is hope for the 925 million people who face chronic hunger. What will we do to help?