A Thin Line

Every day I hear about the scarcity of the H1N1 vaccine. The dramatic evening news shot panning up the long lines of all the people who are going without. And how is it that in our great country with all our technological advances, research facilities and top of the line medical professionals, could we ever face this problem?

These lines are not the only inconceivable lines that are out there in the real world.  But most of them are not on the news.  Most of them do not get air time. Or the “oh’s and ah’s” of public astonishment.

Every day, in St. Anthony Dining Room, 1,000 meals are served to seniors, families and people who have physical or mental disabilities.  Another 1,600 are served to our poor and low-income guests, many of whom rely on it as the only meal they will eat that day. And it’s not just St. Anthony Foundation, it’s the food banks, the smaller food pantries, it’s a collection of community-based organizations that help create the safety net, all working together to provide for those without.

And as uplifting as this community bond and compassion for one another is, it at times can be frustrating.  Why are we not more outraged? Why is it acceptable that people in our cities do not have food? Health care? A safe place to live?  How is that not newsworthy? We continue to educate those who do not understand the issues of poverty, we continue to serve those who are in need, and provide real steps to regain self-sufficiency.  And do so in hopes that it will help open more eyes and hearts to the lines, the everyday lines that need our attention as well.