I truly don't understand...

I was reading an article in yesterday's paper.

It was an article about the food bank and the

out going head person.

It told how it started and how they get the

food from donations from stores as well as

donations of funds so they can buy food.

One of the stories was about how the

backpack of food for weekends, for the

school kids.  Which I haven't been a fan

of.  But they were explaining why it was

started.  Seems there was a local school

nurse who talked to her and discussed the

fact that a couple of children came to school

on Monday's that were not in the best of shape.

Dizzy and etc..  And the nurse found out that

the children had not eaten since the Friday

afternoon before at lunch time.

As much as I would like to understand that, I

just can't.  What kind of parent lets their child

go from Friday afternoon's lunch to Monday

morning with out a meal.  Sorry, but that has

to be a pretty low base person or persons.

I even mention to a friend of mine. She said

she could understand, as she, in the 1950's

went to school hungry.  That they didn't have

enough to eat. But at least they ate daily.

2 to 3 meals. .maybe small but meals.  

I didn't say anything to my friend.. except I

was sorry that she had to go thru that. 

See I knew her father was in the bars all

the time, as she had talked about it many

times.  And her mother smoked.  Those

are some people who drive me nuts.

Because my kids came FIRST.  And yes, we

had some terrible years..  with lay offs and

strikes.  And yes, I stood in the commodity

lines for cheese, peanut butter, meat in a can

flour and sugar.  The strike gave us $25 a week,

so we had to depend on the commodities.

My second husband while laid off, ran a mechanic

shop, working on local's vehicles.  And we had

a time, when the kids had oatmeal for breakfast

and dinner and he and I ate pop corn. Needless

to say, I started banging on doors of those who

owed us money for repairs. Ended up getting

$600 of the $1, 000+ money on the books.

I then, put up a sign in the shop.. "we have an

agreement with the local bank...we promised

not to do loans on repairs, and they promised

not to work on auto's. so please be prepared to

pay for the repairs when you come to get your

car".    Then I had my husband give me the

keys to the autos when he finished them. And

they came to the house to get the keys. No

money, no keys.. Funny how they could come

up with the money. They called me what sounded

like witch, but I think it was with a B. I didn't

care. 

But my point is.. with all our kids.. we never

went with out 3 meals a day. Sure they might

not have been the best of meals.. but it was

something.  I would NEVER EVER let my

kids go without eating for 2 or 3 days. NEVER.

There is food banks, there are neighbors, there

are churches.. and I would swallow my pride

any day, all day.. to make sure my kids ate.

Maybe when the school finds this type of situations

the welfare office should work with the parents.. teach them

how to garden, fish, hunt, and help with

managing their money.  In these days of

Welfare... why should any child go with out

eating over a weekend?

I just don't understand.