support – Epil(epsy)ogue

In 2020 over 37 million Americans were living below the national poverty level and were food insecure.

What is food insecurity?

Being food insecure is when you are unsure when or how you will get the next meal. Many factors can cause food insecurity. There are some Americans that are just above the national poverty level that also struggle to have consistent meals.

People living with chronic illness or disability can find themselves in poverty. These conditions can easily prevent earning a steady income. Whether it be from physically being unable to work, or discrimination in the workplace.

Medical visits are likely often for these groups, and medical costs can quickly become overwhelming. Tasks that abled people often take for granted may not be feasible for disabled or chronically ill persons. Tasks such as grocery shopping. These conditions make these groups likely to face hunger.

How you can help: Donate food, donate time, donate money.

Reusable grocery bag filled to top with groceries, sitting on a stool. — ^{Photo by Austin Kehmeier}

Donate Non-Perishable Food: boxed meals, canned foods (meat, veggies, fruit), cooking oils, dried herbs and spices, granola bars, instant mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, shelf-stable milk, whole grain cereal, are a few examples.
Avoid Donating: items packaged in glass, or cellophane.
Go the extra mile: Call your local food bank and ask what items they are in need of, before donating.

Food truck being unloaded by three women. — ^{Photo by Joel Muniz}

Donate time: Some food banks rely heavily on volunteers especially during the colder seasons. Transporting, prepping, and serving food are all jobs that can make a huge impact on many families, children, veterans, chronically ill, and elderly in your community.

Woman's hands, holding United States currency coins, and a note that says 'make a change" — Photo by Katt Yukawa

Donate Money: whether it be a monthly donation or a one time gift, every dollar is appreciated. Just a donation of 5 dollars provides an entire meal, and then some. Stocks and mutual funds can also be donated. Contact your financial advisor and the charity you wish to donate to for the information needed. Most organizations are able to take donations by phone, mail, or online.

Food insecurity is a year round issue. Although the winter season is known for the season of giving, consider donating any time of year. Any, and all help is appreciated.

Find a food bank near you or donate to Feeding America. Feeding America is the largest hunger relief charity in the United States. I am not affiliated or sponsored by Feeding America. For more information, other facts visit feedingamerica.org or click on their logo below.

How do you help combat hunger in the United States? We would love to hear your story! Please share in the comments below.

It is scary living with a chronic, uncontrolled illness on a normal day. With the emergence of COVID-19 (coronavirus), it is easy to feel incapacitated.

The need to put your health care first, especially when you have loved ones that need care also, can be difficult. This conundrum has put me in a tough situation.

The smart doctors and scientists of the world are recommending physical (previously called social) distancing, and to self-isolate if you have symptoms. I don’t have symptoms – yet. And I am not kidding myself by thinking I will not get sick from this.

They are estimating 50% of people will get COVID-19. If I look at my household, between my husband and I… I will be the one to get sick.

However, I think the best thing I could do right now is to stay at home, isolate myself for at least the next two weeks, and wait to see how the world is then, to make a plan moving forward. Seems really safe, right?

Not actually.

My husband still is going to work, as he works an essential job and is at low risk of infection. Because he is my main caretaker, he is the one having to go get my medications, and the household supplies. That puts him out there.

That means he is at a higher risk of contracting the virus, period. Then he comes home to me. We have a “decontamination room” at the back of the house where he strips down and sanitizes. That can only do so much.

Regardless, he has still been exposed and therefore is exposing me to the virus just by being in the house. Not to mention our wanting to snog transfers all viruses and cooties.

So where do we draw the line? Where do we find the comfort of “I’m doing everything I can” and keep the practicality of “I still have to live my life.”

Maybe just holding on to the hope that the majority of the world is also practicing social distancing and washing their hands frequently and effectively, is all that we have right now.

Please, consider sending a text, a tweet, a DM, or video call to the people in your life that you know are supporting people in the high risk group. Thank them for helping reduce the curve. And a big thanks to you, if you are that person.

It is fortunate that I have a job that I can do – fairly well – from home. But it puts a burden on my fellow staff to pick up the slack on all the physical work that I’m no longer there to do.

I am ashamed telling my boss that I have to stay home; because I’m too scared of dying of SUDEP because the strain that getting sick puts on my uncontrolled brain. I need to thank them more, for holding the front lines, and being so understanding.

I want to thank my friends, my in-laws, and my parents, for not taking it personally when I tell them I can’t physically be with them for the unforeseeable future. I appreciate and love all of them.

I hope you feel that kind of support from the people in your life.

Who do you appreciate the most right now? What do you find most difficult in these troubling times? Share with us in the comments.

Epil(epsy)ogue

Tag: support

Three ways you can help combat hunger in the U.S.

Purple Day and Pandemic 2020