Nutritious Food for #GivingTuesday

Hun-ger: noun. a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat.

We all have experienced hunger. We get lost in our work and miss a meal, or our schedules interfere with mealtime, or we simply forget to pack our lunch. We have fun, exaggerative expressions to describe our hunger: “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.” “I’m starving!” We have emotions triggered by hunger: “Hangry – Hunger Angry”

And, if you are like me, when you are hungry, nutrition is not the first priority. Ease is key.  When was the last time you were hungry? This morning when you woke up? Yesterday when you were late to lunch? How did it impact your thinking or your ability to function? What did you do about your hunger? Grab a snack or sit down and eat a nutritiously balanced meal? 

Food In-se-cur-ity: noun. the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

Globally, over 800 Million of our fellow humans are food insecure with over 40 Million in the US. This number was in a state of steady decline, but increased in 2016 & 2017. Among the root causes of food insecurity are lack of employment, under employment, natural disasters, and limited access to education.

My heart breaks over the heavy reality of food insecurity that continues to linger across the globe. Imagine the toll of living day to day, not knowing the source of your next meal. Consider the stress of making decisions between basic needs:  Housing or groceries? Electricity or lunch money? These are a few of the realities our food insecure peers face on a daily basis.

We know that nutritious food is essential to healthy growth and development and can prevent the need for costly medical care. In 2014, the estimated health-related costs of hunger and food insecurity in the United States were a staggering $160.07 billion. Hunger and food insecurity also cost us dearly in other ways: educational outcomes, labor productivity, crime rates, Gross Domestic Product, and much more. Not only does addressing food insecurity offer dignity to the human race, it makes financial sense. 

There are many efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity across the globe. And this is necessary. But what can be done TODAY to fill in the gap? What is happening to ensure those in need have access to nutritious food NOW?

NOTE: Here’s the call to action!

Midwest Food Bank is standing in the gap. We produce a low cost, high nutrition product called Tender Mercies. And, it tastes good. Trust me. I tested it on my husband and he asked for seconds.

Tender Mercies provides 13 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and 1 gram of fat per serving. A meal of Tender Mercies costs 15￠. This #GivingTuesday, Midwest Food Bank is working and praying to sponsor One Million Meals. We will distribute packets of Tender Mercies through our eight US divisions and International Divisions in East Africa and Haiti. Generous donors are providing matching dollars for the first $50,000 donated. Every dollar donated is doubled up to the first $50,000!

My Invitation: Join us. Stand in the gap. 

Here’s how!

·       Sponsor Tender Mercies at midwestfoodbank.org/GivingTuesday

·       Share this article so others can be a part of the #GivingTuesday movement and stand in the gap with you.

·       Volunteer! The details on how to get involved are detailed on the same site: midwestfoodbank.org/GivingTuesday