Being Hungry 

Inspired by John Scalzi’s Being Poor

Being hungry is eating the same meal every day for months on end.

Being hungry is not wanting to draw a picture of your favorite food, because it reminds you that your parents can’t afford to buy the ingredients to make it for you.

Being hungry is sneaking into your neighbor’s backyard to take figs and peaches from their tree.

Being hungry is diluting a gallon of milk with water.

Being hungry is not inviting friends over for play dates or sleepovers.

Being hungry is going the grocery store on the last day of the month, patiently waiting for the for the clock to strike midnight, EBT card securely placed in your pocket.

Being hungry is drinking water at the dinner table while your children eat.

Being hungry is stretching the 5-second rule.

Being hungry is crying over spilled milk.

Being hungry is “making plans” when your friends invite you to go out to grab a bite.

Being hungry is having 50 ramen noodle recipes in your arsenal.

Being hungry is saying you have a hangover as an explanation for why you have short temper that day.

Being hungry is encouraging your child to hang out at the neighbor’s house well past dinner time.

Being hungry is sneaking out at night to dumpster dive while the children are sleeping.

Being hungry is wondering if toothpaste has any nutritional value.

Being hungry is selling blood for food.

Being hungry is knowing exactly how many extra hours you need to work to purchase your child’s birthday cake.

Being hungry is standing in a long line at the grocery store, hoping you didn’t pick up the wrong cereal while you pay with your WIC card.

Being hungry is visiting the food pantry two hours before it opens in case they run out of food.

Being hungry is pretending cat food tastes like tuna fish salad.

Being hungry is skipping your medication because the instructions say “take with food”.

Being hungry is explaining to your children why they can’t find the “USDA commodity” brand in stores.

Being hungry is eating a cheese sandwich at school because the school bully destroyed your lunch card.

Being hungry is hiding your child’s birthday check from Aunt Jo so you can purchase food for the week.

Being hungry is making tomato soup out of ketchup packs.

Being hungry is lying to your family that you already ate.

Being hungry is sleeping when you’re not tired and dreading waking up.

September is Hunger Action Month. Share your story on Twitter by using the hashtag #BeingHungry

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Related posts:

1. Randalls is a Good Neighbor. You can be one, too.
2. 5 Reasons Why It’s Expensive to Be Hungry
3. The Food Stamps Challenge: Day 4
4. Eating Healthy Without Breaking the Bank: a (non-scientific) CAFB experiment – the child-friendly edition
5. Turn Hungry Holidays into Happy Holidays for Vanyshia and Janancy

Tagged Hunger Action Month