Greetings Northsiders.
The prospect and the reality of not having enough food to eat is not fun. An estimated 64,000 Dane County residents faced this challenge last month as the federal government shutdown and executive decisions caused the food safety net (SNAP) program to withhold its usual benefits to households. This instigated lots of local conversations and collective action in effort to ensure that no one went hungry in our community. The reality of hunger and food insecurity is not over of course.
I have lived experience relevant to this topic from my own life. I know every human life and story is unique, yet we can learn from one another’s lived experiences.
I went three years of my adult life without a paycheck, intentionally, with my wife and children with me (my wife did not have a paycheck then either). There is so much that I could say about this time and the reasons for it, but a couple key lessons that came from it are what I can briefly share.
As an outcome of that time, I was inspired to write a ‘declaration of dependence upon God’ as the source of my life and all that I have and need. Further into this season, I wrote a companion ‘declaration of interdependence on others,’ as people were the primary means through whom the support we needed came. Because it was a voluntary decision at the time, I chose to not receive any government assistance for those three years.
I have so many stories I could tell, but the reason I feel compelled to write of this part of my life is to encourage anyone facing hunger for themselves or their children in our community right now. For me, turning to God and seeking His help as well as being open and willing to receive (and even ask for) help from other people really worked.
NOTE – Later in my life I have received food benefits through SNAP (while working full time), and I have used The River Food Pantry for food support. I am grateful for these resources personally and that they exist for our community.
BOTTOM LINE – I hope this is encouraging to anyone reading who is unsure of where your food will come from today or tomorrow. I hope all of us, no matter our current circumstances, realize we all have received in so many ways from so many others along the way. I hope we are generous and able to share with those around us in need. We each have our own lived experiences, and I appreciate the chance to share this brief glimpse into mine. May every child through older adult have all their needs met this season and may those who are able to be the answer to someone else’s prayers. So be it in our community!
