No, I think it was the girls scouts. :) Or maybe living in a middle class part of New Orleans but seeing the poverty of black neighborhoods interspersed in our neighborhoods. Something seemed "not quite right" even way back then. So after volunteering in the Desire Area Projects in NOLA as an older teenager, I decided to do what Jack Kennedy asked us to do. And so I came to Iowa and Waterloo. What a ride.
The level of food insecure people in the face of the pandemic is staggering and more than most would guess as Julie rightly points out. According to the USDA a quarter of all families experienced food insecurity in the last year. That number includes 14 million kids.
The richest nation in the world can’t keep 14 million poor kids fed. What does that say about how out of touch we may all be?
While I was in VISTA from 1971-73 in Waterloo, Iowa, I lived on $200 a month, about a dollar an hour for the amount of work I did. My rent was $50 in a house I shared with 2 other women. I needed a car for my work and bought a used Chevy BelAire for $700 with money I had saved up in college. I qualified for food stamps and I received them, but I wasn’t made to feel humiliated as I know other people have been. I had one winter coat. There was no internet much less mobile phones. Gas was cheap. Those were some of the best years of my life. I had purpose. I loved the people I worked with. I traveled the eastern half of the state and camped out with friends. I fell in love with Iowa. Things were simple and there was very little violence. Times have changed, and I miss the good old days.
No, I think it was the girls scouts. :) Or maybe living in a middle class part of New Orleans but seeing the poverty of black neighborhoods interspersed in our neighborhoods. Something seemed "not quite right" even way back then. So after volunteering in the Desire Area Projects in NOLA as an older teenager, I decided to do what Jack Kennedy asked us to do. And so I came to Iowa and Waterloo. What a ride.
A thoughtful piece Julie.
Brought back memories of the many lean years growing up.
Also a good reminder to never forget those who have lost, or never found, the gift of financial security.
Keep writing.
The level of food insecure people in the face of the pandemic is staggering and more than most would guess as Julie rightly points out. According to the USDA a quarter of all families experienced food insecurity in the last year. That number includes 14 million kids.
The richest nation in the world can’t keep 14 million poor kids fed. What does that say about how out of touch we may all be?
While I was in VISTA from 1971-73 in Waterloo, Iowa, I lived on $200 a month, about a dollar an hour for the amount of work I did. My rent was $50 in a house I shared with 2 other women. I needed a car for my work and bought a used Chevy BelAire for $700 with money I had saved up in college. I qualified for food stamps and I received them, but I wasn’t made to feel humiliated as I know other people have been. I had one winter coat. There was no internet much less mobile phones. Gas was cheap. Those were some of the best years of my life. I had purpose. I loved the people I worked with. I traveled the eastern half of the state and camped out with friends. I fell in love with Iowa. Things were simple and there was very little violence. Times have changed, and I miss the good old days.