Food insecurity: Human resilience

One of the most important conversations happening today: “Who is responsible for putting food on the table?”  People used to say it was the man’s job, but as society turned away from “the man” has the situation turned into “every man for their self”? The U.S. president is now demanding food assistance money be repaid by states like Kansas who paid full benefits to their citizens for the month of November. 

While the number of people in need of assistance continues to rise, in large part due to the profit-hungry corporations those people work for, human resilience has been activated. Local organizations at every level are coming together as sovereign beings doing what is needed to take care of each other, while government agents work out their priorities at the top.  

Do not wait until you are suffering or in pain to get assistance or to give it. Volunteering is a great way to reciprocate and dynamically change your circumstances and those of others simultaneously. The El Dorado Community Coalition, made up of various local law enforcement agencies, teamed up with The Outreach Program. Their ‘pantry packs’ sit inconspicuously near school entrances and other locations, providing carbohydrate-rich foods for children and families to take home with no questions asked. 

“A lot of young people and new families get in hard situations, not knowing help is available,” said Don Remington, of 12 Baskets Inc., a local food bank in El Dorado. 

The same sentiment is reflected on campus at the Student Government Association’s (SGA) office as snack foods and meals, as well as clothes and feminine products often go unnoticed in the Student Union building, the 1000 building.  

“I know people who only have $12 in their account, and they go to Walmart instead of just stopping by for a snack,” said SGA President Sam Gupta.  

The SGA has worked hard to procure grant money and support to make sure fellow students are cared for, without life circumstances interfering with learning. 

BCC’s library is going beyond the boundaries of campus by collecting canned goods and non-perishable food items to support local food banks. Food banks like 12 Baskets rely on donated supplies from local companies and organizations to feed the people who come to them in need, even those who may not qualify for government assistance.   

“The last two months the number of new people asking for assistance has grown,” Remington said. 

Yet, with the number of people in need rising, some companies are starting to question whether they will continue to share precious resources like meat and other food supplies or if they will focus on sales. The extra provisions that efforts like the library are making will be even more valuable to the hungry families of Butler County if companies here put profits over people. 

Trump administration officials directed states to "immediately undo" any actions they have made to fully fund SNAP recipients on Saturday, Nov. 8, after a judge ordered payments to be made to people who had been over a week with no benefits and only pay them 65%, according to an NPR report on Monday, Nov 10.  

“Gov. Laura Kelly says that Kansas is currently under no legal obligation to take back any of the November SNAP benefit money people received Friday (Nov. 7),“ according to a 13 News interview with Kelly published Monday, Nov. 10. The estimated 85,981 Kansas households who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding are left unsure about December or the year ahead as lawmakers continue to leverage power on these issues and more. 

Administration leaders may continue to blame others for these hardships, but thanks to Supreme Court justices and locals who care, the hardships and hunger have been reduced for today.  

If you have extra food, time or energy, these organizations and more are ready to share your gifts with the community.