After five years of blogging in this little space, I'm still constantly amazed by our bounty. The overflowing gardens that are a mainstay in our communities. The streams and fields burgeoning with fish and game. The endless multi-colored fields of flax, wheat and corn. The cattle grazing behind barbed wire fences along every rural highway and byway. The fully stocked supermarket shelves with variety that astounds.
Yet, people go hungry.
Last year I had the opportunity to listen to the director of the Great Plains Food Bank talk about hunger in North Dakota. It was an eye-opener.
- 1 in 11 North Dakotans don't get enough to eat. 40% of those people are children.
- Food pantries originally designed for emergency food supplies are now supplementing the diets of our low-income population on an ongoing basis.
- An aging population brings an increased risk of food insecurity for the elderly.
It's time to help, and here's my idea. If you donate to Great Plains Food Bank over the next three days through May 1, I'll match it. Thanks to the Center of Technology and Business Women's Leadership Program and my own personal funds, I'll match your donation, up to $300 accumulative total, and my goal is to use every dollar of that to match yours. Together, we'd raise $600.
$1 = 4 meals.
$600 = 2,400 meals.
$1 = 4 meals.
$600 = 2,400 meals.
To donate, click here and in the donation form in the company match line, enter "Rhubarb" to get the match. That's it. Every dollar helps!
The Great Plains Food Bank is pretty awesome. Based in Fargo, they have developed a logistical system in cooperation with local supermarkets that collects food that would've otherwise been wasted and redistributes it across the state. This includes perishables like fruits and vegetables. Last year, they distributed 11 MILLION pounds of food around the state, stocking pantries in both cities and rural areas.
I've think of a teacher friend right here in Bismarck, who tells me of children in her class who only get meals at school (in shoes and pants that are too small for them, asking to take off their shoes because their feet hurt), and the internal crisis she felt when their school's weekend Backpacks for Kids food supply program was discontinued.
I think of my grandpa, who was grateful for Meals on Wheels and would only eat half of the modest meal for lunch, saving the other half for dinner, and wonder how many other elderly depend on food services for their daily bread.
I think of the food pantry across the street from an office I used to work at, watching the Great Plains Food Bank truck pull up and bring not only canned goods, but fresh produce - lettuce, apples, carrots - week after week. Occasionally I would notice the people walking in. I'll admit I thought people with food insecurity would be visibly hungry, skinny and weak. But I've learned that our hunger issues are more subtle, quiet, hidden, but always just underneath the surface. Single mothers may have enough food to get them through the first three weeks of the month, but run out of cash that last week with their rent due soon. Children may have food resources on the weekdays, but not the weekends. Elderly can get a meal at their community center, but may have empty cupboards at home.
We can help. 30 people donating $10 and we're there!
To donate, click here and in the donation form in the company match line, enter "Rhubarb" to get the match through May 1.
And thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank YOU.
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