Looking back on the last few years, it would be easy to describe them with words like “difficult,” “trying,” or just plain “bad.” Starting in 2020, we had COVID rampaging its way across the country and our community – driving us away from our jobs, away from our friends and into hiding in our homes. We endured that for over a year, and just as things started looking better again, storms ravaged through at the end of 2021, literally tearing our town apart. Two tough years indeed.
But even though the years were tough, and the storm wreaked havoc on our homes, businesses, and lives, that same storm also reminded us of an important lesson. When COVID struck, we were forced to withdraw into isolation, separating into our private places of refuge. COVID left us feeling isolated and alone, powerless against the troubles that lay ahead. But the tornado in 2021 reminded us of something important.
Remember the TV show “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas?” The evil Grinch comes in right at Christmas time and takes away all the town’s possessions. The Grinch is convinced that once the town sees what has happened, they will run away in sorrow and depression, and he will have won. What did happen was quite different. The town, seeing their loss, instead draws together, united – celebrating what they have and working together to make things better.
That’s what happened in Bowling Green in 2021. People who had been hidden and sheltered came out to help their neighbors in need. Brave people worked hard hours in sometimes treacherous conditions to do their best to make things better for those around them who needed their assistance. Inspired by their acts, people from surrounding areas joined in as well to make a stand. We realized that by working together, we can rise up against the problems that befall us. Together, we can solve problems. United, we can change the world.
It is important to remember that hard-earned lesson. Life is filled with challenges. Not all of them are as bold and intrusive as a tornado. Some problems are quiet, often kept in secret, yet they can be just as destructive as a tornado in their own way. These problems can drain the hopes and spirits of our friends and neighbors, leaving them feeling alone in the world.
Hunger is one such problem. Across our community, nearly one in every six people does not know where their next meal is coming from. They are men, women and children who are working hard but are forced to go to bed at night without a meal. These are not strangers, they are our friends and neighbors, people who are working hard and generally doing fine. But an unexpected medical bill, car repair or large power bill in the summertime heat can leave them facing a terrible choice: pay the rent or go without food.
Many times, people carry this burden in silent shame. Because of this, it is easy not to realize the problem exists and how pervasive it is. The tornado that struck in 2021 left damage that could not be overlooked. The damage that it did to lives, homes and businesses was visible everywhere. This problem is not as loud, or visible, but it takes its toll just the same. It is estimated that over 12,000 people in Bowling Green are going without food – 12,000 of our friends and neighbors who need our help.
Remember the lesson the tornado taught us. Big problems cannot be solved by one person. To solve big problems it takes all of us, working together, to make a difference.
Hunger in our community is not a problem we can solve overnight, or solve alone, but if we work together, we can put an end to this problem that plagues our community.
On September 15, St. James United Methodist Church will be hosting our 10th Annual Empty Bowls event to help provide food to those in need. We ask you to join us as we do our part to help make a difference. Because of lingering COVID concerns, the event will be a “takeout” lunch event again this year. During the year, we have been getting help from local businesses, potters and community members who donated, food, ceramic bowls and supplies for the event. Now we are turning to you and inviting you to join us in making a difference in the lives of those in our community who are in need. On the 15th, we will be displaying the bowls that have been donated to the effort and providing takeout lunches of soup, beverage and dessert provided by area businesses. For a $15 donation, you will get a delicious lunch, a beautiful ceramic bowl and, most importantly, the knowledge that you made a difference in the lives of families right here in Warren County who needed your help to face another day.
So, if you can, please join us on September 15th and make a difference. Every dollar donated goes to two local food pantries that provide food to those in need: Manna Mart, run by HOTEL Inc, and the Synergy Center, which is run by the Warren County Schools. Each of these organizations will use the money you donate to provide food to the families in our community who need a little help to get through hard times. This year we will be selling tickets online in advance to make your lunchtime takeout a little easier. You can visit our website www.emptybowlsbg.com to see how to buy your tickets or check us out on Facebook at @EmptyBowlsBG.
Hunger is a big problem facing our community. Working together, we can put an end to this problem and bring relief to our friends and families in need. Join us for a tasty lunch, take home a beautiful ceramic bowl and every time you look at the bowl, remember that you joined in to bring food to families that were facing an empty bowl at mealtime. Together, we can end hunger – one bowl at a time.
-by Garry Taylor
