I have been open about growing up without much money. A lot of our clothes were hand me downs from sisters or cousins. Much of our food was from the kindness of a neighbor who always claimed he had sent too many cull cows or fat steers to the butcher and had no more freezer space. Other meals were cobbled together by my mother or her mother with skill and grace that made it look easy, not like they were worried to death about whether it would stretch far enough to feed our brood and whatever stray kids we fetched home.
Looking at it now, I realize the things they did to make life with little cash work was just that – work. Meals were made from scratch, and we didn’t have soda, we drank tea or water. Sure, there were things I didn’t like – I still will not eat shepherd’s pie – but there was always plenty on the table. If you walked away hungry, it was by choice.
Now, because a group of so-called adults cannot agree in Washington, people in Watonga are going to go without resources they have come to rely on. This is not an argument about what is often referred to as entitlement programs. It is about feeding people, about keeping them from going hungry. It is about not letting the littles worry about getting enough to eat. We can all agree that children should not be subjected to that worry.
What can we as real adults do to help? Load up the blessing boxes in Watonga and Geary. Make sure the neighbors aren’t going without. Take a little bag of groceries to the food bank at Opportunities. Or give them some cash.
What about those in town who don’t have the cash to spare buying extra groceries or donating to the food bank? That is where the real heart of this community can shine.
Cook an extra cup of beans and rice for someone who is struggling. Making more than your family needs will bless someone else.
If even that is beyond your financial limits, show others how you have learned to cook – and cope- on next to nothing. I am sure there are people out there who don’t know how to cook beans and rice. Teach them. Share seasoning secrets so that beans and rice don’t taste the same every single day.
Hand out recipes for thick hearty soups and stews made with little or no meat, that are based on potatoes, rice, tomatoes and other vegetables.
The point is, we all have something valuable to share, whether we are rich or not so rich. If it is a matter of not knowing how to reach those who need help, ask at your church, the schools, even at club meetings. Get together with people you know, put a post on social media and do a cookout.
Unity is our strength. One day, this shutdown will end. But the recollections of how neighbors helped neighbors or strangers will not fade away.