When I thought about what to say in our first newsletter of 2011, I struggled with the disparity of what is being reported, that our economy is improving, and what I actually see. All you need to do is visit a food pantry in your city or town to see what I mean. Unemployment is still around 9.8%, more children are being enrolled in the school lunch program where it is reported they are getting 50% of their daily calories. All you have to do is listen (which is also a way of seeing) to the stories told by the food pantry volunteers. Some food pantries now provide a separate day and a senior bus so that the elderly can shop. Hospitals are now involved in screening patients to see if they have enough food, as well as signing them up for food stamps and directing them to food pantries. Nutrition is the key to good health.

Today I discovered, quite by accident, an exhibit called
 About Hunger and Resilience. Michael Nye spent over 4 years traveling around this country interviewing and photographing 50 people about hunger. Their stories are told in their own words and as Nye says; "take us underneath complicated issues where empathy and understanding begin." This exhibit is making its way around the country.  I have written to him and asked if he would bring it to Massachusetts. If I cannot bring you to the food pantry, maybe I can bring the food pantry experience to you. According to Eric Cooper, Executive Director of San Antonio Food Bank, "This exhibition will invite communities to a deeper experience around the issue of hunger. Food banks and other organizations working to eradicate hunger can use this work as an opportunity to find strategies toward solutions.

"Hunger has immense short and long term implications, including malnutrition and starvation. Emotionally, it can impact every aspect of one's identity, vitality, and psychological well-being. Many have described the experience as "blinding" and worse than they ever imagined."  Michael Nye

Gathering Change, Inc. invites you all to continue to join us in 2011 to bring awareness, understanding, and creative and sustainable solutions to members of our human family who are hungry.
 
Happy New Year!
Dorothy Goodwin, President