Humanity and Dignity Became Roots of Change
I have one more post to finish writing about my month of living food insecure. But I can tell you it changed me. The lack of humanity and dignity became the roots of change for me.
I needed to do something. Having seen in a month that the situation with food and who gets it, who gives it, and how it’s distributed could be improved upon. I suffer from whether I am qualified or not to speak on this, but many years in the transportation end of food distribution, along with the actual business of food distribution. Couple with over 35 years in the service industry, I think I am more than qualified to say we have lots of work to do.
I will add that some of the best work being done is not by the gigantic food pantries, they are nice, but they have many issues that I’m not even sure people know how to talk about. The proverbial don’t bite the hands that feed you is defiantly an issue when criticizing people who give away free food.
The grassroots neighbor feeding neighbor. Seeing a need in the elderly or houseless community and addressing it post-haste is just some incredible work. This work is being done day to day not by fancy high overhead charities but by down and dirty humanitarians. The community sees needs and fills them. They set up impromptu stores so people can pick and choose what they want to eat. Volunteers give dignity to those that many in society see as undignified. They are the people I want to be around. They make me feel good to be a human being.
Humanity and Dignity Became Roots of Change
To that end, Tripping Vittles has seen a need or maybe a few needs. To meet those needs, I have taken a page out of my friend Steve and Ramon’s playbooks, and I am putting the people before an organization. Tripping Vittles want to bring food and dignity to people all over the country. But right now, we are starting with Columbus-land. One day I may start a 501.3c arm of Tripping Vittles, but that costs money that I don’t have. I am just now getting Tripping Vittles back on course after a very bumpy Covid.
That said, I think you all know me pretty well, and those that don’t, you will someday, I hope. I have opened a Cashapp account called http://cash.app/$rootsofchange If you would like to help feed people in a humanitarian and dignified way. Shoot me some money. If all my followers gave $1 a month or $12 a year, I would have over $3000 to put towards food and items to help one’s dignity.
Follow me on all the socials. We did our first food give 2 weeks ago, and it was amazing. Heer Park is a place on the south side that has a large houseless population around it. We provided people with 30 bag meals with enough food for at least 3 meals. It is through your generosity we have been able to do this.
Our Next food give is this coming Saturday. If you do not want to give cash but would like to help out with items that help with the food prep and distribution, this is Roots Of Change Amazon Wish List… In many of my posts, I make $ when I direct you to Amazon. But not this time. This time It’s just a shopping list for convenience sake.
Roots of Change Amazon Wish List
I have no way to explain how much this affected me. It will stay with me, and it will influence what I do with Tripping Vittles. That does not mean I am changing. It just has shown me a way to be more in touch with humanity and offer to help in the most dignified way I can.