No One Goes to Bed Hungry Tonight Drive

     I don't know how it happened, but I suddenly have really figured out that as a Democratic Party Chair, I must actually be a politician.  The problem with that is that I often scoff at politicians for not really knowing what is going on in the world. The current dilemma in Raleigh is perfect evidence of that. 

     The Republicans were swept into office, I believe, because they promised a solution to the huge problem of unemployment.  As the most powerful act of their newly discovered leadership, what do they do?  They work to destroy public education and in the process put thousands of school employees out of work.  

     That brings me to the topic of concern.  Hunger.  Congressman Shuler is trying to organize a large food drive.  I am certain he means well, but it is, at the end of the day, a gesture.  Perhaps an important gesture, but still not enough in light of the suffering.

      As a school administrator, I see too many children go home at the end of their day to inadequate meals ... if any.  Long ago, I learned that on Friday some of my fourth and fifth graders would stuff their pockets with their lunches, to have food when they get home.

       My wife, Shelley, commented that a real difference in the lives of poor families would happen when we people of Transylvania County agreed that none of our families would go to bed hungry.  

       I'm not quite certain how to make that happen, but I am open to suggestions. I believe that if a bunch of us put our heads together, maybe we could make a truly long term commitment ... not just a single shot for the sake of an event.  

       Yes, we have food banks.  We even have a soup kitchen.  Why then do we still have hungry families? You see, it is not just a lack of food ... there is something more to the problem of hunger here and everywhere.  If you have some comments, perhaps we can figure out, together, how to really make a profound difference for our children, every day, all year.

       I suppose that in spite of budget battles, lost jobs for people in the education business, and, most terribly, lost opportunities for our children ... we will go on.  Ironically,   the best solution to poverty is an education.  Sadly, hungry people don't seem to advocate well for themselves.  I guess they are too busy looking for their next meal.  I suppose that is why we need politicians.  They should be protecting, solving problems, and saving people.