Jeanne Liston is the executive director of the Blaine County Hunger Coalition.
By JEANNE LISTON
As I sit down with friends and family to enjoy an abundant Thanksgiving meal this year, I will be especially mindful of those who struggle on a daily basis to provide food for themselves and their families. Consider these staggering statistics: More than 850 million people in the world go hungry daily. Every five seconds, a child dies from a hunger-related cause. Here in our nation of plenty, over 35 million Americans live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. Bringing it closer to home, on any given night in Idaho over 50,000 children go to bed hungry. Even here—in Blaine County—we have 250 children living in poverty, according to the latest census.
Hunger is often a widely overlooked problem—one we all prefer to bury. It's a secret that's often kept hidden from neighbors, friends, family—those in a position to help. Shame and embarrassment can drive people to hide the fact that they can't even feed their families. This is a problem that plagues hard-working Blaine County residents. Yes, right here in our own back yard—our very neighbors and friends.
Through the Blaine County Hunger Coalition, I have spent the last four months trying to better understand the challenges that some of those "neighbors" face. I recently learned about a young person who came to this valley for a promising job. While the job is very fulfilling, it pays less than $1,000 per month. After taxes, medical insurance and rent, this person is left with fewer than $20 per month for food. The next time you are at the checkout stand at one of our grocery stores, think about how much food $20 will buy you.
Fortunately, we live in a community that is known for its generous spirit. Over the holidays, we amass an army of volunteers and supporters who come together to provide Thanksgiving and holiday baskets of food for hungry families through Silver Creek Alternative School and the Sawtooth Board of Realtors. For the last 10 years, Souper Supper has been providing two hot meals a week to the community every Monday and Thursday. And on a daily basis, The Hunger Coalition is ensuring that people are fed the remainder of the year.
The Hunger Coalition provides access to food via 12 separate social service agencies in Blaine County, maintaining a safety net of food so that our children are not lying awake at night with a hungry belly because mom and dad couldn't quite make enough money to pay all their expenses and put dinner on the table. Thanks to generous community support, someone with less than $20 for food can pick up a food box that will help sustain their family through the month. Individuals that do are extremely grateful to have this as a resource. It is not uncommon to see their gratitude expressed with tears.
As I dive into my stuffing and mashed potatoes this Thanksgiving meal, I intend to thoroughly enjoy every bite and to be grateful for the abundance in my life. Over the last few months, I have seen firefighters, churches, school children, businesses and volunteers reach out to make a difference by ensuring that our neighbors and friends are receiving the most basic of needs—food. Living in a community that truly values the health of its children and families, and shows it through its actions, is something for which I will always give thanks.
