Not Just Gratitude, But Compassion and Empathy This Holiday Season

For many men and women across America, the start of the colder seasons has not been filled with holiday cheer or a relaxing embrace of the colder weather. In the last 43 days, due to an inability to pass legislation in Congress, the United States government was shut down, which has placed a pause on several quiet and efficient government-funded programs that work seamlessly behind the scenes to create an accessible lifestyle that nurtures basic human needs.

One of the most dire programs that has lost its funding during the shutdown was SNAP benefits. SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a direct system in place by the U.S. government to provide accessibility to food assistance for those in need. According to Jeanie Hunter, the Tennessee regional director at Society of St. Andrews, said that, for every one meal donated to a food bank or pantry, SNAP will provide nine meals to those in need. 

In an interview with Hank Green, Hunter said that the Society of St. Andrews is an organization that attempts to end hunger by eliminating food waste. The organization’s initiative is to collect any “imperfect” crops from processing plants, fields and independent grocery stores and donate them to local food pantries. 

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, over 62% of families that require SNAP benefits are households with children, leaving the other 38% of those who require SNAP benefits to be disabled individuals or the elderly. Moving into the colder weather and schooling dismissals, if the shutdown had continued for even a few days longer, serious household choices would have needed to be made in regards to feeding their families. 

Thankfully, in the last few days, with the government shutdown having been put to an end, this holiday season, it is important to share moments of compassion. For the past 43 days, hard-working men and women across America have had their SNAP benefits severed from them. Leaving distraught and unimaginable questions left unanswered: food or rent? 

Considering the government had taken one of the quietest and most efficient government programs and tossed it aside because of the supposed need to allocate funds, let’s ensure this holiday season, now more than ever, the families who had gone 43 days without being seen by their leaders can now be seen by at least their community. 

We see you, we stand with you. Not only should this holiday season be filled with gratitude and love, but also compassion and empathy for the families and parents who have had a whirlwind of the last month and a half. Now these families can take a breath and have a moment of reassurance, knowing their children can now go to sleep with a full stomach and nourishment. 

Let’s also take a moment to recognize and be aware of one another this holiday season. Be aware of our communities and all of those who occupy them. Small business owners included, we thank you for your extensive efforts to help bring food to the table this Thanksgiving. 

To the men and women behind the scenes, working day in and day out at Shoprite to unload and stock the shelves for all of the ingredients necessary for this year's Holiday dinner, your community stands with you, and we thank you. 

Not just in the Poughkeepsie area, but in all sectors of New York State, every income level, every community, every city, big and small, we are here with you–we support you, and we see you. 

This Holiday season, if you can, check out local listings for volunteer opportunities at your local food pantry or soup kitchen. Offer a helping hand, kindness and awareness to others in your community this season.