68 HOURS

My cousin Diane volunteers for a New Hampshire program called “End 68 Hours of Hunger.” If you, like me, were unaware of what “68 Hours” signifies, think about a student’s schedule. They spend weekdays in school, and weekends at home. For most students, weekends are a time of family togetherness, relaxation and fun, with special times around food such as Pancake breakfasts, Pizza nights, and Sunday barbecues. For some students, however, those central themes of fun and family are not punctuated by food. In fact, food deprivation makes the weekend interlude more of a countdown in the number of hours until a solid meal is once again provided... a countdown from Friday school lunch to Monday school breakfast... a countdown of 68 hours.

Can you imagine seeing the school cafeteria as a safer, more nurturing place, than the home where you spend your weekend time? Can you envision hearing the rolling cages clank down on Friday and looking up as you leave the cafeteria with a longing for the moment they’ll be lifted on Monday for your next meal? Consider that those able to take for granted the earnest time and effort invested in cafeteria food preparation are privileged... that they are going off to better smells, better food, better homes.

If you have never thought of any of these things, a look inside your local school might surprise you. Those familiar with the underlying meaning of “68 Hours” may be able to better define it for you. And if they don’t have any solutions, perhaps you can find some kindred spirits in your community and develop solutions yourselves.

Here’s some information about the New Hampshire program:

https://lscpagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=564964&ver=html5#{%22issue_id%22:564964,%22page%22:36}

And here’s some information about another program, “Blessings in a Backpack,” a not-for-profit in Louisville KY:

https://www.blessingsinabackpack.org.

If you are moved by this information, especially comparing your family’s surplus with those of the children who may go without, you may start investigating.  Alone, with a group of like-minded friends, or even with your children, you may ultimately choose to donate, shop, sort, pack, or deliver.  But for this engagement to begin as a thought experiment that truly touches your soul, I recommend you start, as I did, by saying aloud the mantras contained in these two websites. 

”A hungry child cannot learn.”

SO…

“Who will feed the kids this weekend?”