Heartsick

The current increase in food insecurity is both troubling and sickening.

I can eat whatever and whenever I want. I can also express concern for those who can’t. But words are no longer enough. This is America, and what is happening is unacceptable.

In a recent appeal, the Federation of Northern New Jersey wrote: “The ongoing federal government shutdown has created hardship for many families in our community — including furloughed government employees and the 81,686 households in northern New Jersey now facing food insecurity due to the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Food banks and pantries, including those that serve the Jewish community, are struggling to keep up with the surge in demand.”

To its credit, Federation has committed to mobilize the community to help with this urgent problem. But as a food pantry volunteer, I can attest that the need was growing even before the shutdown. And as a server at a local shelter, I can further testify that increasing numbers of people are seeking meals.

Inequity seems built in. The people eating at the shelter, for the most part, are employed. Some stand in the food line wearing their work clothes. But as one gentleman told me this week, “I really appreciate these meals. Now I can pay my rent in full and still get a hot meal.” We save him from having to choose. Of course, if he needs medication, he still has to decide how to spend his money.

Hot dinners are provided by the nonprofit Family Promise or by local organizations or houses of worship. My own synagogue, Congregation Beth Sholom in Teaneck, provides meals four times a year. Family Promise — which was created to empower working families — has served 1,500,000 meals since 1991, relying on donations to carry on its work.

One story I heard at the shelter this week has haunted me since. In fact, I’ve repeated it to everyone I can. Just as the story of one girl, Anne Frank, had more resonance for some people than the unbelievable number 6 million, this one story brought home to me the utter unfairness of the medical system.

A woman asked me for a meal to bring to her husband, an amputee, who was sitting in their car. She went on to explain that insurance would not pay for antibiotics, and by the time a hospital would see him, he was in unbearable pain and his leg had to come off.

What to say? Are there words? Are words good enough? It’s time to stop talking and take steps to fix these problems. Somehow, cutting SNAP and reducing Medicaid seem like obscene gestures in the face of such stories. This is nonpartisan. Rather, it is systemic, and we, collectively, have let it get this far.

I wish I could offer a solution. Right now, I can only give voice to my feelings. Those who prefer to show up in person and maybe hold up a sign should know that members of the Beacon Project and other groups meet weekly, on Thursday nights, at the Teaneck Municipal Green to “shine a light” on particular issues of concern to them.

Please, as Jews and as concerned American citizens, let your legislators know that you care about these issues and will hold them accountable if they don’t.

Lois Goldrich of Fair Lawn is, among other things, an editor emerita of the Jewish Standard.

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