Today was an eye opening experience…

I really didn’t think much of today when it started. We had made ornaments a few days ago that needed to be painted. So down into the basement I went, with Max, to find the paint. When I got down there I became frustrated because it really is just a sea of boxes and things that need to be donated and what not. So I decided that even though Tony doesn’t have a job right now, I am going to donate the stuff that needs to be donated, so at least I would have room to look for the paint.

So I loaded up the minivan with about half food donations, and half other donations. I then put Max in the car and off we went to donate to the Vets down the street. They took everything but the food. I asked them where I should donate it but they didn’t know. So back home we went determined to find a place to take all this food that we no longer eat nor want.

I went to my trusty Google and typed in “food bank” and after a few minutes found a food bank with a number. I called them up and they said they would be more then welcome for any food we could donate to them. They also told me where I could go to drop off the food. So I packed up Max again and left. We got there with our LARGE box of food (you all know I like to stockpile food right?). I take out our luggage cart and put this heavy box of food on the cart and go inside.

They have me fill out some paperwork (nothing too earth shattering) and then ask if I would like to have a tour. I say sure, not really knowing what to expect. I go into a large warehouse where I see a large shelf on one wall with labels on bins that were clearly empty. I also see many banana boxes that are filled with different types of food and 2 women clearly sorting things. The gentleman tells me that they supply 4 schools with backpacks for children that are clearly not getting enough to eat to take home for the weekend. He says that sometimes these children only see milk when it is in the backpack. He also tells me that they supply the food for the soup kitchens and other food pantries in the county.

I then go into another warehouse room and I see pallets of food on shelves and a few down low. He points to one of the rows and says that it used to be that they would hand out the equivalent of this whole row of food every week. Now due to budget cuts, they have to make it last a month. He said that because of this, they have had to rely more and more on the generosity of people like me. Bringing in food and donating it. He also said that it used to be that grocery stores would just give organizations like this their “surplus” food. However now, dollar stores will pay money for it, so many of them give it to them instead. So they are having to compete with stores that are selling the very food they want to donate.

I leave there with the sense that I am an aristocratic Roman eating a huge banquet and not thinking anything of the scraps on my table. “Who would eat those?” Meanwhile there are plenty that are going without because not many of us look at our table and realize that that could feed families. How many times have I went by those food bank boxes and thought nothing of them? I don’t think I will be able to again.

I came home and realized there was more I could do. So I went through the pantry again and have collected a full grocery bag size amount of food. Never opened, never will be… unless I donate it.

I never ask for anything on this blog other then prayers. However tonight I change that. Tonight, please think about your pantry. Are there things in it that you know you will never eat? Have you moved un-open boxes of things more times then you can count? I know I am guilty of this. If so, please consider going through them and donating items to the needy. The person I was talking with said that they take some expired items because they know they are still good. So don’t think your things need to be perfect. Anything will help.

This is our pantry after the second purging.

In other news, Tony and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary today. It is hard to believe it has been that long and yet it feels longer at times. Hopefully our 9th will be just as fulfilling but easier on our minds.

Jennifer