But there sure is a relationship between these two words! Very noticeably in the Tenderloin, where St. Anthony’s is located, the relationship between the terms is often described as “Food Insecurity,” (aka “hunger”). Many of our group volunteers who typically are here with us for a day, will often mention that some of our Dining Room guests pull food out of the “bus bin” as volunteers are circulating in the Dining Room (cleaning up the tables as folks finish their meal, so that incoming diners can sit down to eat). An initial reaction to this can stretch anywhere from pity to revulsion, but a deeper look sometimes affords a wider understanding. My colleagues and I welcome the opportunity to discuss this (and other observations people share with us) in our reflection sessions with the group volunteers.

I’m among those who are fortunate enough to know where their next meal is coming from, and even beyond that—what it will consist of—usually ingredients of my choosing. Even though St. Anthony’s Dining Room is open 7 days a week, everyday of the year, many of our guests can not count on a meal later in the day, or know for sure that they’ll be able to make it back “tomorrow.” Unless it’s early in the month when a fixed income check might afford some options, uncertainty about food (and shelter too) are understandably heightened. Understandably, yes; acceptable? No way!

On the other hand, there is a very good vision of food access in the Tenderloin. (And “good” DOES rhyme with “hood”!). Every Wednesday and Sunday in Civic Center Plaza, the Heart of the City Farmer’s Market is full of fresh and culturally diverse foods for sale. Most of this farmer’s market offering is much less expensive than other neighborhood outdoor markets. Even though most Farmer’s Markets finally do accept Food Stamp cards, the value reaches much farther when the costs are more affordable. And, there are NO big grocery stores in the area. South of Market you can find some, and you can find many little “corner stores” that are best known, most of them, for selling other than healthy, affordable foods. There are a few mini-marts, and there are some corner markets that do not sell alcohol, but these are far and few between. There aren’t so many household kitchens in the TL either, although folks may have microwaves, hot plates, rice cookers or crock pots.

I know my own spirits are lifted anytime I walk through “the Heart of the City” Farmer’s Market, which is always brimming with people who actually live in the ‘hood,’ doing their shopping, able then to easily push cart their groceries home. The “security” that comes from community being nourished in this way, is a signal recipe for serving the common good-in-the-hood!

From the Dining Room to the ‘Market, and back again, Bon apatite, my friends, for justice!

Tags: dining room, homelessness, hunger, poverty

This entry was posted on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 4:55 pm and is filed under Programs & Services. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.