Growing up in rural southern Illinois, oil, farming, candy bars, hunting, and sports dominated the discussions every week. If you were in school in Robinson one of these silos of activity would play a big part in your life.
As an average athlete in a small town, I watched more than I played. Especially in football. What I remember vividly was the dominating confidence that each of us carried into our games. It extended to our practices and even permeated all our preparations. We would watch in silent horror as a teammate or opponent got pummeled, broke a bone, or worse – lay motionless on the field as coaches, parents, and EMTs scurried about treating the injured.
What I will always remember is the mental gyrations that most of us went through in our minds. We had to convince ourselves of one thing to keep going to get back in the game: “This will never happen to me.” In my mind, I am invincible.
Having lived over six decades, the foolishness of that self-talk is apparent now. But back then, no one would talk about what everyone was thinking: “Wow, that poor guy, that will never happen to me. Let’s suck it up and get back to the game.”
That same attitude often dominates here in 2024. I have a decent job; it is secure. We have some savings, and we are healthy. We have a home, two cars, and a dog. We work hard and I will not let anything take what I have away from me. The attitude of invincibility is what carried us through high school, college, and, if I am being honest, several stupid risky life decisions. The attitude of invincibility still carries many of us today.
That will “never happen to me” until it does.
I recently reconnected with an old friend – for our purposes his name is not important – but we will call him Robin.
In 2020, Robin, married with two children, was about to celebrate his 62nd birthday. Along with his professional career, he owned a profitable growing small business. Like most of us he had some mortgage left on his home and car payments. Robin clearly had done well as he hit 800 on his FICO credit score.
Three years later, pushed in part by the pandemic, Robin lost his home, lost his job, lost his business, lost his health insurance, and went to an older model car just to get around town. When we reconnected, Robin was living out of his car, with his now two teenagers. He was applying for any kind of work and would grab a cheap hotel room for a good night’s sleep and showers when he could afford it.
Robin fed his family from the pantries for close to two years. Robin shuttled local homeless to and from pantries allowing them to be fed, too. All this occurred right here in Hamilton County. Serving hungry neighbors is a participation sport, usually we have no idea who shops from or donates to the pantries. The person you help may be nearer than you think.
Yeah, but that could never happen to me, right?
Feeding Team provides a way and a place for those in need to get food for their family. While each pantry really is just a big wooden yellow box, it means so much more for donors and for families in need. You are welcome to join us as together we fight to eliminate hunger in Hamilton County.
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With over 47,000 food-challenged neighbors in Hamilton County, FeedingTeam.org is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides outdoor 24/7/365 no-questions-asked free food pantries throughout the county.
The pantries exist to meet the food insecurity needs of gap families, neighbors who may not qualify for public assistance and could use a few meals before payday. The pantries serve as many food-challenged neighbors as possible, and our hearts are with those who, like my family, could not always make ends meet.
Thank you for supporting the pantries. We love serving with so many neighbors across Hamilton County. In future columns, we will share more stories about how your generosity served neighbors in times of need. The face of hunger in Hamilton County is not what you may think.
In practical terms, this straightforward way to help neighbors is having real impact on lives, families, and our communities. Thank you. A few meals can change the course of a person’s life. A can of green beans means so much more when you have nothing to feed your kids.
Would you like to get involved? Volunteer opportunities are available. We are evaluating new pantry locations. If you think you have a potential location, please contact us.
Mark and Lisa Hall are the Founders of Feeding Team. They may be reached at lisa@feedingteam.org and mark@feedingteam.org or by calling (317) 832-1123.