Smokey Mountain Breakdown

It's Good Friday here in Appalachia and it doesn't seem right or godly to torture you with Food Porn today. But I wanted to use today to draw your attention to the subject of hunger and what we can all do to help those around us and those far away from us.

The wind is cold today as as I sit at my milkstand swiftly coaxing out the gallon plus of goat milk goodness that is my daily chore, my mind turns to those who do not even have this. The snowflakes fall and the wind blows them my way. Out there, not so far from me, are people whose children will go hungry tonight. Or they themselves will go hungry so that their children might have the last can of pinto beans on the shelf.

Have you ever needed to visit a food bank? I have. Let me tell you what it's like.

It's a humbling experience. No matter who you are, you feel shamed. But you are there because you don't have another choice. You hope no one is there that will recognize you. Your voice is hoarse and you speak in a half whisper. You avert your eyes. You are grateful for whatever they can give you. Usually it is a loaf of bread, some canned goods, maybe a box of cereal, a few staples and if you are really lucky, some luncheon meat like baloney. It will hold you over a few days to a week and you wonder if you will have gas money to get back when that is gone.

That there are people in this country of great wealth that go through this on a continuing basis is a source of shame for us all. I've only had to do it a few times, but let me tell you...it is soul killing.

Here are some ideas that you can use to help your local community.

Donate to your local food bank. Donate good stuff...protein and vegetables. The face of hunger in the US is often overweight because simple carbs are cheap and filling.

Plant a garden. Donate the produce to Meals-on-Wheels or your local homeless mission.

Check in with the elderly and disabled in your neighborhood. Make sure they have enough to eat. Make that damn soul-killing food bank visit for them. Most of them are too proud to do this for themselves.

Make a family outing out of helping out at a soup kitchen once a month.

Are you a hunter? Many states have a Hunters Helping the Hungry program where you donate your venison to help the hungry.

Look...you guys are smart...I'm sure you can figure out lots more ways to help out.

So go do it!