Yes, there are hungry children in this country, all over this planet…Hunger is real. It is painful. This is totally and completely unacceptable!
Hunger is real. It is no game. Please visit this site to get a view of reality:
Mother Connie does not pretend to have all the answers. This is a serious, growing, ongoing issue all over the planet and we have got to DO whatever we can to alleviate the situation, in my humble opinion.
The Club House is open and all who wish to know better how to eat on a shoestring can come here and get ideas about making the most of their food dollars. I support our local food pantry. I make every effort to educate those who sit in my circle about how to cook and how to nourish those they love.
You ideas about how to solve this dilemma are very welcome. One person alone cannot do much but many people of like mind, working toward a common goal-helping people to be well fed-can accomplish a great deal. Our email address is foodstampscookingclub@gmail.com or you may comment on our comment panel beneath this post. Thanks, guys.
~Connie Baum.
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Connie
From my corner, I see education as sorely lacking in home economics-many of those classes were dropped from curriculum as unnecessary during the 1980′s and beyond. Many don’t know how to cook basics, that pasta dishes don’t have to come from a box or can, or soup for that matter. How to take $50 and feed a family good, healthy meals. So sad.
There are many reasons why so many, with many more added each day, are amongst the hungry in this country of plenty. We can only do what we can, in hopes of making a difference locally.
Stay strong. Your efforts do make a difference!
Thank you so much, Carol…it is just unthinkable that people in this country would not have enough good food to eat.
There ARE many reasons why hunger exists but let’s hope we can make a dent in that by doing what we do. I know you are at the forefront of thrifty food prep and your family is eating well and wisely…and I am always on the hunt for good ideas to share with the Club Members
Thanks for the encouragement.
Hugs,
Mother Connie
Amen, Mother Connie!!! Like you say, it is unimaginable that we as a people and society allow hunger to exist when many of us have more than we could ever want or need. I am always somewhat infuriated by “food hoarders” saving up for themselves when people are hungry NOW. I totally agree with your comment about one person changing the world, but here are some people who can have said it much better than I
“I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God I will.” ~Edward Everett Hale
“Whoever saves a single life, saves the world entire.” ~Talmud
These I truly believe!!
Oh, Christine…bless you for taking the time to come by and leave us with your thoughts. Your support is so dearly appreciated.
Your quotes really embrace this and we thank you for sharing them.
As things stand, I shall continue to offer my gifts and follow my passion, in the hope that we will reach those who want and need our help and love and care.
Thanks again, dear one.
Hugs
Mother Connie
And hunger so very close to home, is hardlly noticed by most. Really like the backpack program some cities have. One thing I wish we had where I live, is community gardens, so people can grow their own foods, when they live in apartments, or houses with no suitable ground. Sure do like the way you think, Connie!
Nancy, this is so true. Even when federal grants have made funds available for growing community gardens, people who are working two jobs just to survive are too tired or working during the hours gardens might be tended. We all need to think outside the (flower) box to come up with workable solutions to help people understand how to feed their loved ones well and wisely.
As things stand now, I shall continue to blog and press on in the hope that everything will work out to everyone’s highest good.
Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to stop by and voice your opinion, Nancy! I love you!
Hugs
Mother Connei
One of the many problems I see is waste waste and more waste. So many people don’t eat leftovers for whatever reason. We do and it’s led to some “interesting” combinations. (One day I was trying to figure out what to do with a few tablespoons of leftover chilli. Hubby suggested baked eggs with cheese and chilli for lunch–it was so tasty,) We don’t waste. If one of us can’t finish what is on our plate back it goes into the refrigerator for later.
I admit that not all the food I cook comes out looking like it should. Two days ago I soaked some black beans in with some white beans leaving me with black and gray beans. I used them in a bean and sausage soup. They were still good, tasted good and by the time it had all cooked down in the crockpot not that noticable.
There was a commercial awhile back for Glad garbage bags where they showed the family throwing out their leftover meat loaf. I sent an email to Glad telling them that was a bad example and they could have used another example to show how much their bags hold (like donating used toys and clothes to a thrift shop.)
Frankly, I am horrified at how “locked in” people are to “best buy” and “use by” dates. When I was growing up food did not come dated. I remain amazed that people throw out perfectly good food. A few years ago when we lived in another town we had a neighbor who complained to me that she was going to throw out “lots” of cans and boxes of food because they were expiring. I told her that didn’t mean it was bad. She insisted it was so I asked her if we could have the food. She said she didn’t want to make us sick but yes we could have it. She filled 9 plastic grocery bags with boxes and cans that were expired and near their expiration date. I thanked her. She seemed to think I’d get sick if I ate any of the food because “the date says it’s bad.” Hubby helped me sort out everything. There wasn’t one bad item in any of it. If I hadn’t asked for it she would have sent it all to the landfill.
We just plain waste too much in this country. My grandmother believed in:
Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without
We still follow this.
Oh yes, and you don’t want to start me on the issue of how “disposable” things are. Oh yes, and then their is the issue of packaging. Yeah, I’d better be quiet now.
Dear, dear Sandra…you make such great points here and I applaud you for them all. It’s interesting that you include the little ‘poem’ or saying because those in our Book Club mention that same verse very often. They grew up in really hard times and know the value of saving everything, including food.
I wonder if the commercial makers took your comment to heart about the meat loaf vs charitable gifts? That is a prime example of how the media hypes commercialism and “buy buy buy”…
A close friend and I had a conversation this week about expiration dates. I gotta tell ya that if that ginormous, oversized batch of green beans my mother in law grew and canned “expired” she and her husband, along with their family of six kids would have gone mighty hungry! When we moved into this house we found goods that had been canned eons ago. If they were not malodorous or discolored, they were heated and eaten! No waste here, either!
I would love for you to make a blog post about “disposable packaging” if you are up for it, Sandra. It’s up to you.
Thanks so much for making your presence known here. You are such a gift!
Hugs
Mother Connie
What I have to say may not be popular. But I think most of us could stand to be a bit more generous with what we’ve been given.
It’s Scriptural, if you’re a believer. Jesus said to feed the hungry. He didn’t say “feed the hungry, if you’re in the mood to do so”, or “feed the hungry after you’ve had a lavish vacation and all of your needs and wants have been met”. He simply said to help those who need help, in anyway we can.
It only costs $1 to provide 8 meals. That is a bargain. I’ve wasted far more than $1 on frivolous stuff. I hate to think that my selfishness could be costing someone a decent meal. Hunger is unacceptable.
Perhaps one person can not solve the world’s problems. But I am one person, who can help one other person, who I hope will someday be in the position to then help another. It just takes one to begin a chain of kindness, generosity and love.
Our children are sometimes our best teachers when it comes to generosity. How many times have you been out with a young child, who happens to see someone in need. And what does that child ask? They ask, “how can we help that other person?” Our children don’t judge, and they don’t make assumptions. They just see need and want to help. I think we all could take a lesson from a child.
Lili, Lili, Lili…you have brought tears to my eyes. Thank you SO MUCH for this message. You have hit this one out of the park. Yes, we have been commanded to feed the hungry; we have our marching orders. And yes, if ONE of us helps ONE MORE…that has enormous energy to change things.
People do tend to be judgmental. Children? Not so much. They are often our best teachers.
Furthermore, by setting a good example ourselves by helping others, we stretch our selves and that gives us opportunities to become our best self!
Thank you so much for your input and for taking time to happen by and share this way. It is so greatly appreciated.
Gratefully and with Big Hugs,
Mother Connie
Dear Readers and Club Members,
Mother Connie’s heart is full and overflowing for the outpouring of sentiments that have come into the Club House. The emails have been so supportive.
I know that each of you is doing and will continue to give and do whatever you are able as time goes by. This example will be set for others, who will follow in your footsteps in this way.
Hunger is NOT acceptable. Bit by bit we might be able to alleviate some suffering. No judgment. No excuses. Just LOVE.
Hugs
Mother Connie