Food Insecurity…

Food Insecurity…12-18-25

It is reported that 1 in 5 children in America suffer from food insecurity. That is what they call it now. I called it hungry. In some rural counties across the United States, that 20% rises to above 50% or even higher. Matthew 6:31 tells us "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’" That is hard to say to a child who doesn't know what he will have to eat or if he will eat. That is hard for an adult who doesn't know how they will feed that child. It is easy for us to read that scripture and say, "Just trust in God." Many of us don't suffer the food insecurity (hunger) that these children do, that I did as a child.

When I was growing up, hunger was what they called it. Poor and hungry were words they used. I didn't know where most meals would come from. I don't remember many times throughout my young life that food was a given. Where I didn't worry about my next meal. Where I didn't feel hungry in the middle of the night. Today, you don't have to be necessarily "poor" to not have funds for enough food. It is easy to judge people when you aren't sitting in their seat at the table. It is harder to get up and do something about the problem than it is to simply sit and judge. Deuteronomy 15:7 doesn't tell the Israelites to sit and judge. It simply says, “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be."

Our church runs a food pantry. I don't work in the food pantry as often as I used to, although my heart is with it every single time it is open. I wish I could be there. There are so many people who contribute that I know God is fulfilling the need in hearts to work in this service. Along with Operation Christmas Child, it has become our passion and mission. To feed the hungry in our community. We also have a clothing closet that is available as well. The need and outreach has grown over the past few years. I was at the inception, watched the first boxes go out, and I never cease to be amazed at the appreciation for the box of food that is given. Whatever the amount, contents, or people packing or carrying the box, there is appreciation. There is an understanding that this will feed someone. Yes, there are people who take boxes that probably could get out and try to work. We are not called to judge those people. We are called to fulfill that need.

So the photo above? These young men came to school today during make-up day. They don't have tests to make up. They came because of food insecurities. I am putting them to work. I heard one say to the other a few moments ago, "This is better than being at home!". Think about that for a moment. The offer of food. The offer of someone taking time to let them help in service to the teachers by cleaning their tables. To give them some much needed appreciation for a job well done. That is better than spending a day at home. Do I know what faces them at home? If I did, I wouldn't say. I will say, these are the backs of food insecurity. These are the 20%, 1 in 5 children who need that food. These are God's children. Deuteronomy 15:11, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’