Hunger Simulation

This morning the group took part in a hunger simulation created by ELCA World Hunger called "Food for a Week."  Individuals were divided into groups and given the identity of a family who was at very high risk for food insecurity.  Each group read about their situation and then had the task of acquiring food for a week.  Some had larger budgets than others.  Some had larger families than others.  Each group had an opportunity to get food from the grocery store or the local food pantry.  To increase their food budget they were also given an opportunity to visit a human resource agency to apply for food stamps.

Food items were available at the local food pantry ... that is if people were able to locate where the food pantry was.  Rochester folks -- do you know where Channel One is located or how you would get there if you didn't have access to a car and gas money?  

Janette and Marcus were on a tight budget and took time to carefully select the items that would fit into their budget and provide them with the number of calories they needed for the week.

Deb, Carl, and Lucas purchased all of their meals for the week, but the process for figuring out a meal plan with what they were able to afford and get from the food pantry was daunting.

Rich, Jack, and Damon struggled to come up with much variety in their meal plans.

Being hauled along to the grocery store, human resources agency, and food pantry is exhausting work for kids (and adults!).

Crabby Abby was given the task of running the human services office. Turns out she wasn't very helpful -- she didn't know how to help people fill out their food stamp applications, people had to sit and wait for a long time while their applications were processed, and some families were told they had to come back in 2-4 weeks.  

Not knowing where your next meal might come from and struggling to have enough food for your family is hard work.  It isn't easy to ask for help and most people don't ever picture themselves in this position.  The reality is that one job loss, unforeseen disability, broken relationship, or run of bad luck can change everything in a heartbeat.  This morning our team experienced just a little bit about how frustrating it can be to be poor or experiencing homelessness while looking for a little help.