Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

For our after school program, we are starting a new meal program called the Childrens Lunch Box. It's a really amazing program that brings full meals to kid's programs all over the city. For many of our kids, this may be the most substantial meal they get all day, so it's really quite a blessing. Yesterday, two women showed up with about 8 kids in tow, looking for the free meals for kids. Apparently, our little after school program ended up in some newsletter advertising for free meals for kids throughout the summer. At first I was a bit overwhelmed at the 10 extra strangers at our doorstep, but after hearing that these women had been driving around all afternoon looking for a place that would help feed their kids, I took a step back to really think about what that meant. I took for granted that I wouldn't have to worry about whether or not I would have dinner when I came home. Granted, it might have involved brussel sprouts or something else I didn't enjoy, but I always knew there would be dinner on the table. I think we tend to think of hunger as this far off problem, but parents in our own communities can't feed their kids. Not every kid is fortunate enough to have dinner waiting when they get home. Next time we are standing in front of the fridge, taking our pick of the overwhelming mass of food inside, we need to remember that.