I Don’t Know

Every single soul should have a roof over their head and food in their stomach. I cannot believe that in this day and time that anyone should have to choose between getting their medications or buying food/necessities. No one should lay their head down with an empty belly.

Look at the tremendous waste that goes on in this country and in the world. Tons and tons of food just tossed and allowed to become waste. I want to cry thinking of the people that could have benefitted from that food. What amazes me is I live in the suburbs of the 4th largest city in the United States. There are tons of empty buildings - some in great condition and some in need of repair...here's all this empty space just sitting there for years and there is this building explosion going on all over the area. Why not take these empty spaces and turn them into apartments and shelters. The government wastes so much money why not take care of the people who can't take care of themselves - isn't that what assistance is meant for? The lists to get in to government housing is long and to build more would cost a fortune. Why not lease/purchase these empty spaces across the U.S. Our government has always condemned or chastised other countries for allowing their citizens to be neglected yet it is all around us here.

I believe all able bodied people should be productive members of society - we have a really broken system that some take advantage of...those who could be working that play the system and receive aid - it becomes their job and their lifestyle....yet there are those truly in need who have to go through hoops to get assistance and sometimes are denied. It doesn't make sense. I am truly for everyone in need of assistance receiving it - that is why it was created.

I teach school and our students are served breakfast in their rooms. I always save whatever non perishable items are on the tray in case a child needs a snack or is still hungry. Out of the corner of my eye at the end of one day a few years ago, I saw a fairly new student reach in to the trash can - I first thought someone had just tossed something that looked like a treasure to her...but I watched her carry it closely by her side and slide it in to her backpack....it was someone's discarded breakfast. I instantly felt sick. Thankfully we have a food pantry where students are sent home with food and extra on the weekend. You don't realize how many kids literally go without food. How can we expect them to sit in a classroom and try to focus when they are hungry? Every teacher in my school keeps a personal food bank on shelves in our cabinets filled with breakfast bars, peanut butter crackers, juice boxes and other snacks. Ever gone home and looked in your pantry or refrigerator and tried to decide what to eat? Imagine going home to an empty pantry and refrigerator.

The Homeless make camps under freeway bridges, you pass them laying on the sidewalk. These are people. These are someone's daughters, sons, moms, dads, brothers and sisters. I know some choose to live this lifestyle and but also a great number are suffering from mental illness....how do we go on about our day when people are suffering in these conditions?

Food, shelter, healthcare for those in need - how do we fix these tremendous problems? I wish I had the answer...I think we have to come together to take care of those who can't take care of themselves. I believe we have to say enough and work to demand it. We have a lot to answer for as a society. We speak a lot about faith and Christianity and it makes me think of two bible verses, "If you are one who practices hospitality of faith, it is possible, even probable, that you have entertained an angel. Remember the commandment given by the apostle Paul while writing to the Galatians. “ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10) and 1 John 3:17-3:18 "But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."