Food for thought
After a recent experience, I will be thinking twice before opening my mouth to complain about the little things.
It all started with a phone call from Bill Barkett, requesting to meet with me about the Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry. We set the meeting time and had an awesome time chatting. I could see the passion in his eyes and that feeling seemed to move across the table and connect with me. Without even thinking, I asked him, "What can I do?"
While I knew what The Tuscarawas Bargain Hunter would do for the organization, I wanted to get to know the food pantry operation better. What other way to learn than go to the pantry on distribution day?
So later that day, I found myself at the West Third Street facility. With more than 40 people standing outside in the humid weather waiting for the doors open, it was not a sight I liked. Sure, I've driven by the pantry before and seen people outside waiting in line but this was up close. It was over an hour before the doors would open; yet people were waiting in line. And before the actual start time, even more people would join the line. As I walked to the door, my eyes and their eyes connected. It wasn't shame or pity that I saw in their eyes. Honestly, I did not even know what I saw in those eyes looking back at me.
Entering the pantry, it was like I stepped into another world. Volunteers were scurrying around setting up all the food. And this just wasn't a few items. The pantry had received its donations that totaled 30,000 pounds. Yes, thirty thousand! Large pallets of canned goods, vegetables, fruit, boxed items and more were jammed into the warehouse area.
Volunteers systematically placed the goods on top of boxes so when people came through with their food carts, they could quickly grab items and move on to the next item. Produce by the pounds were taken out of crates and placed in bags and on display. It looked like a mini-market.
As I found Bill and introduced myself to a few volunteers, I got into the swing of things and began bagging and placing items on nearby makeshift shelves. Before the doors were officially opened for the two-hour distribution period, everyone held hands and prayed. As I stood their holding the hands of people whom I had just met, the words, "give us the strength to help others" had an entirely new meaning.
Like a little girl in church opening her eyes during the prayer to look around, I gazed at what was before me. There was no way; I thought that all this food would get used. There couldn't be people, my neighbors, and your neighbors—residents of Tuscarawas County who would walk through the pantry doors and get this food. I was wrong.
As the first few carts came bustling down the zigzag aisles, volunteers asked the person if they wanted what was being offered at that station. I was handing out bags of tomatoes and cucumbers. One bag, containing about 12 tomatoes and two cukes was my offering. With both items being in season now, there was a great amount donated to the pantry. As I asked, "Tomatoes and cucumbers?" people's eyes lit up as they nodded and thanked me with a smile. The majority of folks were pleased to receive the tomatoes and cucumbers; many even stated that they had been hoping to get some ripe, fresh tomatoes.
So that is what I did for nearly two hours. I handed out veggies to an endless line of people. I couldn't believe it. I went through box after box of veggies and still the line was out the pantry's door. There was definitely a need for the pantry. It was becoming clear to me, even though I knew there was a need prior to volunteering that anyone of the people coming through that line, could be me.
Yes, it could be me standing in the line. I'm sure none of the fine residents who were there filling their cart with donated food from the pantry even planned on needing to receive donations to feed their family. It is a shame that in this country there are families who struggle to put enough food on their dining room tables. Yet, the problem of hunger is not going to go away unless more people do something.
So what can you do? One thing that was evident to me very quickly as I stood in the pantry was that there was no shame in accepting the food. Many times people's pride gets in the way and prevents them from seeking the help they need. I didn't see any of that at the pantry. Of course people weren't overjoyed to be walking through the pantry's aisles for food, but the volunteers did a great job of chatting with the folks, smiling and making sure that everyone was treated with respect.
One elderly lady has stuck in my mind and the look on her face will remain for quite some time. She was pushing her cart, a little hunched over. Her face was weathered from what looked like years of hard work, stress and just life in general. I could see she really didn't want to be at the pantry, but she knew she needed to be there to receive the donations.
Our eyes met and she looked at me with a longing glance. "Hi there," I said. "How about some tomatoes and cucumbers today?"
"Um, yeah. OK, that would be nice," she replied.
"I think these will go well with your lettuce and make a fresh salad for you tonight," I remarked.
"You think so? It's just me," she said.
As we continued to chat for a few more moments, it was evident to me; the pantry is more than just a place to get food. The Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry has become a place to nourish the entire body—not just fill someone's kitchen cupboards.
I was told before I arrived at the pantry that volunteering just for a few hours there would provide me with a great satisfaction. I understand that now. Not only was I handing out tomatoes and cucumber, but also I was handing out hope.
When it comes down to it, isn't hope essential for life to continue?
The food pantry is open every Thursday, from 6-8 p.m., and every Friday, from 10 a.m. to noon. To make a donation to the food pantry, send a check payable to the Greater Dover-New Philadelphia Food Pantry, P.O. Box 95, Dover 44622.