Nearly every conversation I have nowadays I’m on the receiving end of anxiety, dread or fear about the current economic situation in this country and around the world. We’re surrounded by the talking heads on television telling us that the “sky is falling”. As well, we see it in the newspaper; hear it on the radio and it’s imbedded into Presidential campaign politics. No doubt, we have cause for concern…the sky is falling. I see the impact on the population we serve at Second Harvest; not only are folks in poverty feeling the economic shortfall even more, we now see a whole new face to those who are in need. Blue collar, and yes, now white collar workers who have found themselves in a position unimaginable 5 – 6 months ago – now in need of emergency food to get them through a tough time.

Amidst all of this news, each morning, before I hit the road, I gather my wits about me and remind myself that there is another option…an attitude of hope. We at Second Harvest believe hunger is solvable despite many problems in this world that perhaps are not. We make a difference each and every day in thousands of lives. We’re made up of a core of people who are predisposed to hope rather than despair – people who read reality through different lenses, who dare to dream of something better. This is not being in denial of the realities around us, but we can broaden our view. The writer Parker Palmer states, “…that abundance, not scarcity, is the ultimate reality…..hospitality and service are paradoxes that enrich us as we give to others. These are wild, even disorienting ideas in a society where forces of greed and frantic self-centeredness often seem to prevail.” Yet, we need these wild ideas to counter the negativity that surrounds us.

My point is that we at Second Harvest Food Bank offer you a wonderful opportunity to help make a positive difference in this community; a chance to at least momentarily escape the bad news. The reality is that our work is more demanding in this economic upheaval. You will need to join us in closing the ever-widening gap between the food that is available and those people in need – kind of like changing the tires of hunger in this community while the car is running. We invite you to join us to be part of a solution; find out about the many ways you can be plugged in.

Dave Krepcho
President/CEO
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida