Thankful

I always look back at what I have to be thankful for at Thanksgiving.  My first job after I finished school was providing nutrition counseling at Nemacolin Woodlands Spa.  Health was the priority for each and every one of my clients. But, working every weekend wasn't for me.  I left the luxury of the resort spa on a Saturday and moved to my next job on Monday morning...Nutrition Educator at the Fayette County Community Action Food Bank.  Wow what a difference, I went from working with people that spend $100 on dinner in one night to those who don't have $100 to spend on food for their family of 8 for a week. I am so thankful the opportunity to work in such an amazing place.  In today's world we might complain about people looking for handouts or trying to work the system.  The faces I saw at the food bank were much different. The faces of hunger are not what you would expect. I met a man with 6 kids working 3 part time jobs to try to make ends meet for his family.  He cried the first time he came for a food box because he did not want to have to take it. I spent countless hours working with senior citizens trying to help them to make the healthiest meals they could from the donated food in their boxes.  The worked their entire lives but were barely making ends meet due to rising costs of housing and healthcare.  They appreciated every item and even gave back when they could.  Working with each of these individuals made me realize how much I actually have to be thankful for.

I continued to work there and faced a tragedy when the food bank warehouse was flooded just days before Thanksgiving in 2003.  It was like a terrible nightmare that had come true. In the end the community rallied to help to make sure that families in need did not go hungry, especially during the holiday season and winter when families are faced with choosing between paying for food or heat for their homes. While I have moved on in my career, I always remember those faces and how much I have to be thankful for each year at this time.   I will never forget that flood or the community support to overcome the damage.

This morning I learned that just one day before Thanksgiving the food bank flooded again.  Damage was done to the building and thousands of pounds of food were lost, yet again.  I can only hope that once again people in my community will realize how much they have to be thankful for and give back to help these families in need as the food bank rebuilds.