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I have been consumed in my work and my activism lately. Since I work in several public schools in Manhattan, I am constantly challenged and enlightened by a menagerie of different lifestyles, thoughts, beliefs and backgrounds. It’s absolutely rewarding, and I am completely blessed to have been placed in this job. Some of the experiences I have with the kids are heartbreaking: pregnancies at 15, with no support from family, meager assistance from health care and goverment- all merely because these girls are raised in a home environment where those conversations aren’t facilitated until she “gets herself knocked up”. It’s an enduring cycle- the cycle of poverty, and it starts with a lack of education and limited access.
The lack of nutrition education astounds me. We, at the Ryan Center, do our best to impart our knowledge and make available as much of our time and resources as we can. The educators do as much as they can. But, sometimes, most of the times, it’s not enough. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t force him to drink, eh? I can teach a lesson about how important healthy foods are, but I can’t force a kid’s parents to spend their food stamp allowance on fresh fruits and veggies instead of processed, prepared meals. I can make sense to them that buying natural foods in bulk is actually cheaper and more beneficial in the long run than spending $2 at McDonald’s a day.
I am doing my best. I want to overhaul the school lunch program, enforce parents to take responsibility for the rates of obesity and force all adult influences to step up and take an active, positive role in investing in the future of these kids’ health! But I know…Oh, I know…it is a symptom of a far greater problem. Much larger than my own arms can reach. And it’s taken so much patience to let go. Just to let go of the pressure to fix everything. I don’t even have that power, so why am I allowing it to consume me? These kids are our future, and the rates of childhood obesity are alarming. Children in lower income families and areas are either getting over fed with crap/fake “foods”, or are simply going hungry. When we can’t even address the hunger issues and food politics in our own backyards and neighborhoods, what hope does that give us for the rest of the world- for Zimbabwe where children are “wasting away”?
I have hope. I have to. Otherwise, what’s left? A big pile of disappointment and nothing. Each time you feed someone, it makes an impact. Every time you engage in conversations with someone about these issues, it aids. Certainly, this is a step in the right direction.
Everyone deserves access to healthy foods. I’m doing what I can to feed physically AND mentally, through knowledge and advice.
Here’s a free healthy food tip for the day: Does anyone want healthy oatmeal for a dollar? Go here- print out a coupon. You will need the coupon and $1.08. Get yourself to the nearest Jamba juice today or tomorrow and take ‘em up on that offer!
Tip #2: What’s a cheap, filling, yummy, complete protein? Rice and beans, my friends, rice and beans. Buying long grain rice and dried beans in bulk is super cheap, super healthy and super diverse in taste. Flavor it up with different spices, broths, veggies, sauces, add ins, etc and you can have a different meal for each day.
Additionally, I have volunteering and become more active in my new church , The Journey, lately, and thus have been provided with more support for what I’m doing, more resources, and a clearer vision of my own faith. That aside, the Journey does incredible and innovative things. This weekend, I, along with about 10 other individuals, handed out free granola bars along with an invitation to join us for Easter Sunday. Then, on Sunday, Nick and I took two more boxes of granola bars after our 1pm service, and did the same thing through the subway cars on our 1 train uptown, and handed out the rest inside the subway station. It was a rainy, somewhat dreary afternoon, and people really appreciate a free snack. After many weeks of giving away free food is numerous ways, I am still struck by how surprised and confused and even awe-stricken people are when you say “nothing” as an answer to their “what’s the catch?” question.
I like those surprises. The ones that say, “here, I don’t know you, but I want you to have this. Everyone needs to eat. It’s free, no catch, just take it, it’s yours. Have a great day.”
xo
Molly
