By KAREN MADORIN
Anyone who reads history knows that life is sometimes hard. Old Ellis Headlight columns record events that challenged our region’s early development. Going through old files, I read accounts detailing Eastern Benevolent Societies who collected and sent emergency food and clothing supplies to settlers living in dire straits. Often times, life was impossibly difficult due to drought, wind, fire, blizzards, economic depression, pests, and flooding. Local residents didn’t have enough to sustain themselves let alone to share. Those pioneers passed down stories about the goodness of support organizations that delivered train car loads of food and supplies.
One of those stories involves my pioneer family. My great-great grandfather was a Methodist Circuit Rider wrote a memoir about his pioneer family’s experiences from their arrival in Northwest Kansas in 1872 til he retired in 1912. He shared accounts about how more than once his wife scraped the bottom of the flour barrel trying to put together a skimpy meal or the kids had worn out and outgrown clothing and shoes. He tells how they rejoiced when missionary barrels arrived in answer to desperate prayers.
It's easy to think those hard times are over, but anyone who reads local news knows inflation takes a toll on everyone, especially those on fixed incomes. People who exist from paycheck to paycheck struggled before inflation reared its ugly head and now folks wonder how to pay for fuel, heat, cooling, medicine, and food. Their paychecks aren’t rubber, and they don’t stretch nearly far enough.
As they did in old days, aide organizations step up, but, too often, needs are greater than resources. Our local foodbank faces multiple struggles trying to sustain individuals and families. Each week local pastors remind their congregations to support this bedrock supply system.
Challenges multiply weekly. Prices the regional food bank once paid for goods they deliver to western Kansas towns have gone up, so donations don’t go as far. Donors’ budgets are stretched so they struggle to maintain or increase gifts. Prices of cans of soup and vegetables increase monthly. People who’ve never utilized food banks now need those services, straining some shelves the point they’re empty.
One mom on social media came up with a way to contribute that doesn’t blow the family budget. Her toddlers shop with her, and she described how they use to wheel down every aisle begging for goodies that weren’t in their budget. One day she spied an empty Food Bank Donation Basket in the front of the store, which generated a great idea. She lets each child pick one item to buy and contribute every shopping trip. The kids are little so she explained what products people most need and allows her kiddoes to select their contributions.
Ironically, the youngsters focus so much on finding the perfect donation each store visit that they no longer beg her to buy frivolous treats. When she came up with her plan, she wanted to teach her kids generosity and didn’t expect this bonus outcome. All of us are struggling right now, but like this mom, some of us can do small things to help neighbors. This family’s solution is a nice start. Every bit adds up.
Karen is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.