Food Stamp Challenge Day 2: Living Memories

The participants’ have started an e-mail chain and I’ve been reading
it with fascination and humor. I grew up on food stamps and hunger was
a thing we rarely dealt with in part because food was the option often
selected over heat, rent, and entertainment. Another option we had
which is available to the crew is going to food banks and churches
which is what many food stamp recipients do - there you can find basics
such as proteins (beans) and unfortunately poor carbs (white rice) and
mac and cheese. I believe as simulated food stamp recipients we have
that option.

It was not so much the poor food options and choices and the
ego-deflating look received when using a food stamp but the harsh
realty of being a second class person, a labeled person, a hopeless
person that wore away much at my parents. They never had time to clip
coupons they could not read, or do comparison shopping (two jobs each
and no time). And on the weekends I could always count standing in line
with empty bags at the local Catholic church getting fruits and
veggies. Therein I think is the true villain in lacking food - it is
not a loss of weight or gain due to poor options or even hunger. It was
a starvation of the soul.

As we do our week I am proud we are living united and I am
remembering that to those who have been given much as my family and I
were much is expected.