by Monica Palmer
“No, I do it all by myself!”
This is my toddler’s mantra of the moment. She is going through what the experts call an “independent phase.” I regularly find myself fighting the urge to take over as she repeatedly tries to stick her head through the arm hole of her shirt. I exercise patience, because I love to see that smile of satisfaction on her beaming face when she accomplishes the task of getting dressed all by herself.
It’s a very natural and understandable thing to feel good about taking care of oneself, and it is a very natural and understandable thing to feel bad when you can’t.
The men and women who stand in pantry lines and accept food assistance are asking for help, and it’s not an easy thing for them to do. They have tried and tried to make things work for their family, and they have come to the realization that they just can’t do it on their own.
Imagine the defeat of knowing you can’t feed your family without asking for help.
On the bright side, when someone asks for and accepts help, it can and does foster hope for the future. When my daughter reaches the point of frustration, and finally begs, “Mommy, help please,” I jump in to help, and I see her eyes watching my actions and learning how to do what I do. She has big hopes to not need my help someday.
I believe the vast majority of our neighbors in need also hope for a day when they won’t have to ask for help.
The food banks of Missouri share that same hope, but until that day comes, we will continue to feed the hungry. The pantry and shelter workers, who are mostly volunteers, will continue to offer help in a non-shaming, non-judgmental way, and they will create hope for a brighter future.