Thankful, but not blind

In the early years of my life, my family was very poor. I’m talking tin roof, outhouse, dirt floor, no beds, no running water type of poor. But, despite this, we were never hungry. I remember the poverty, but never hunger.

But I know what hunger looks like because when I was a child, she lived next door to me, and I would see her come over when we were finishing a meal and she would stare at our plates, with a longing in her eyes that stayed with me throughout my years. I saw hunger in the eyes of the children, men, and women who would beg on the streets of Santo Domingo as my family, now better-off financially, would drive by. I see hunger as I walk down the streets of New York City, in all shapes and forms.

And as I prepare the meal for my family, I think of them and theirs. My darling friend Jennifer Perillo had only one wish on her recent birthday, and that was that we remember those less fortunate then ourselves. Remember them, and remind you of the hunger of others.

There are so many ways you can help. Through Share Our Strength you can learn more about how hunger afflicts millions in this country each year. Find out how you can get involved. Find out how you can help women across the world feed their families through The Hunger Project. Donate to your local soup kitchen or shelter. Help bring food to one who can’t help themselves through God’s Love We Deliver.

I am thankful for all we have and that my children have never experienced hunger. But I am not blind to its presence, and I ask that you not be either.

Join us in this demonstration of support for our local and global community. Be the hand that feeds someone today.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thank you Jennifer for your kindness, mindfulness, and overall inspiration and representation of what is good in this world. I love you and Happy Birthday.

The many other bloggers helping spread the word are:

Backseat Gourmet

Bowl Licker

Chef Druck Musings

Dirt & Noise

Dish Towel Diaries

Food Mayhem

Food Woolf

Gluten-Free Girl

Healthy Green Kitchen

La Fuji Mama

My Kitchen Addiction

Motherhood & Me

Mrs. Wheelbarrow

One Tough Cookie

Savory Sweet Life

TasteStopping

The Merry Gourmet

Use Real Butter

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