Food for the hungry

The distribution of food in this country (and the world) is really messed up. I do not even begin to understand it or to know how to solve it, but I do know that it is a travesty that American farmers produce a surplus of grains yet we have lots of hungry people in our communities.

The good news is that we can do something about it. Durham has the Community Kitchen downtown off of Main St. It is part of Urban Ministries of Durham. The kitchen serves 3 warm meals a day, 7 days a week. Between 100 and 150 people show up for each meal. The food preparation and service are done by volunteers. The food itself comes from local supermarkets, farmers' markets, and restaurants. If you can weild a knife, you should volunteer. Information is on the website.

I heard a story about one woman who gives full-time care to her 7 grandchildren. She brings them to the Community Kitchen to eat because otherwise they'd go hungry. She does not have the money to feed herself and the 7 kids.

In addition to volunteering, we should be grateful for every morsel we put in our mouths. Appreciation of food is empty at best if gratitude does not accompany it.

So, don't just feel sorry for the plight of the poor and hungry in our area, do something about it!