Open eyes to hunger

Recently a photograph of a long line of cars waiting for entry to a food bank at the Outlet Malls was viewed on social media. I was appalled at the unsympathetic comments, but especially one that stated, “There are not that many hungry people in Arkansas!” The U.S. Department of Agriculture begs to differ; Arkansas leads the nation in hunger among seniors and children.

If you doubt government statistics, I suggest a simple test: volunteer at a food bank. If you do, you will discover some interesting facts. For one thing, there are requirements: a photo ID, residence in the city, you can only come once a month, and you must be below a certain income level. Recently, St. Mark’s Food Pantry served approximately 100 families or 500 individuals who met those requirements.

If you do volunteer, you will meet your fellow Arkansans who simply need to eat, and the food provided is desperately needed for a variety of reasons. Among the people you will meet are grandparents and great-grandparents raising another generation of children due to the scourge of addiction and nonviolent incarceration, women and children reduced to below the poverty level due to divorce, individuals seeking help for the first time due to an unforeseen expense, someone who will be embarrassed to be asking for help due to recent unemployment, to name a few. All will be appreciative of the food, but especially the compassion and smiles given and received.

After a few hours you will be changed, your eyes reddened by tears, shed and unshed, your heart softer and breaking a bit. Whatever your beliefs or practices, you will find joy in doing good in an often harsh world. You will arrive home and suddenly see blessings and gifts you have long ignored or never saw before.

You will not need government statistics to tell you of hunger in your home state, because you will have met your fellow human and seen his need.

SANDRA McCULLOUGH CONE Little Rock