Hunger in Moose Jaw prepared 256 lunches Tuesday for children in local schools who otherwise might not have anything to eat for lunch.
First of all, hats off to Hunger in Moose Jaw for taking on this worthwhile, but growing, project. We have all felt hunger and we know it’s not a comfortable feeling. But most of us are able to do something about it.
Imagine not being able to stop that gnawing feeling in the pit of your stomach. Imagine trying to focus on something else and ignoring the gnawing hunger for hours on end. And imagine not knowing when you might be able to satisfy the need.
While it’s easy to say children should never have to experience those feelings, we all know the reality is that it happens fairly often right here in Moose Jaw.
Paycheques don’t stretch as far as they used to. Job losses have cut into family incomes. Increased housing costs, energy costs (for heating and travelling to and from work) and even increased cost of food means sometimes skipping a meal.
When it’s a rare occurance, it’s difficult but doable. But when it happens on a regular basis it’s a tragedy.
So a second salute goes out to Mosaic and the Moose Jaw Warriors for doing their part to lessen the problem in Moose Jaw. A donation of $30,000 a year for three years will mean a lot of these children will at least know they will get one good meal a day, even if it comes in a paper bag, delivered to their school.
The children receiving the free lunches are the lucky ones. What about kids who are not yet going to school or those who have not been identified for whatever reason as needing the assistance? But that is letting the problem cart get ahead of the solution horse.
Hunger in Moose Jaw, with a little help from some friends, has made a huge dent in the problem. With a little more help from more friends, perhaps it could do even more.
