"I'm hungry and there is nothing to eat!"

This came from my oldest daughter. "Really?" I thought. I got up from my chair and walked into the kitchen. I open the refrigerator and see that there is plenty to eat.

There is milk, carrots, yogurt, apples, grapes, juice, peanut butter and jelly. You get the picture. I looked at her for a moment and said

"Baby, there is plenty to eat in here".

"But it isn't what I want!"

"Well I don't know what to tell you but there are all sorts of things in here to eat if you are hungry."

Move forward about 6 or 7 months. The school that she attends is having a food drive. This particular food drive is for children in Anchorage that do not always get a nutricious meal, or maybe do not even get a meal. The children can range in age from toddlers to teenagers.

Then the part of my oldest daughter's school that she attends, announced that they will be taking a field trip to deliver these items on a Monday.  Which is great because I had the day off from work so that meant I could go and be with her. We are going to a recreation center that has a kitchen in it which prepares meals for children. This place is called Kids' Kitchen.

The idea of this whole thing was envisioned by a man named Elgin Jones in August of 1996. He had felt that some voice in his dreams had told him to feed the children and so that is what he did, and to this day, he still does.  He is 70 years old.

The bus pulled up, parents arrived and the truck was unloaded in an assembly line fashion. Boxes after boxes of food, canned fruit, rice,  just about anything and everything went into the kitchen. It was impressive. The food drive lasted for about 2 weeks.  Having the ability to see how much just one can of peas or box of pasta from one family can add up and create so much when everything is all added together...well it was moving.  

The kids made decorations for the recreation center. From snow flakes to signs.  Any child that came into the center would see that they were part of the holidays and a community and that there were people that cared. After the students were finished with the craft projects, it was time to meet the man who started it all. 

They all sat on the floor to listened to his story. He spoke of how he came to know what he needed to do and how it all started.  A lot of it came out of his own pocket.  He and the staff feed over 75 children on any given day. He has created something that has a lot of support for he and the kitchen. One restaurant donates 200 pieces of chicken a week.  Another business donates fresh fruit and the list goes on. 

He told them, that with the food that they had collected and with the other donations, it would help them be able to feed children until the spring.  Not to bad for a bunch of little people!  He and the kitchen provide dinner and all the meals are free for the children. "No child should go to bed hungry," he said.  I also agree.  Sometimes it is hard to provide what we want, but at least he has parents that will help in resolving that complication. He is a gracious and thoughtful man.

It was a very rewarding time for myself, and I know that it was for all the other parents and teachers and students who put forth effort and went. This man's efforts are nothing less than "Heroic" in my eyes. 

So...not to long ago...back home...my oldest went to the fridge and once again came back to me and said she was hungry.   I once again said to go look in the fridge. She once again said there was nothing to eat.  I hesitated and then asked her if she remembered the field trip to Kids' Kitchen? She said that she did. I just looked at her. I could see her think for a few seconds and then she said, "I think I will have an apple, and can I have peanut butter too?"

"I think that is a great idea, and yes you can."

I think she finally understands how truly fortunate she really is....

I wish that everyone would look in the cupboard and find an organization that could benefit from a small donation.  All of our children have something to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Other children deserve it too.  You might only be able to give a can of corn or peaches or a bag of rice that has been sitting on the shelf........I know this because I pulled out all three and a few more.......

Just a thought.....