A Monthly Inspirational Viewpoint of Life’s Journeys with Sonia Wignall.
Episode Forty
Many years ago a young woman told me about the generosity of her father. Every day he would give his children extra lunch money in case someone in their school did not have money for lunch, Wow! How many of us think that inclusively or that broadly about the needs of others. Although I do sometimes, this is certainly not my continuous train of thought. I wish it were. I wish I was wealthy enough to “give help love” on a regular basis. Maybe someday I will be able to do just that.
A major supermarket chain in our community throws out delicious cooked food every night. Up until the time of closing, the cooked food is sold. Once the closing process begins all leftover cooked food is dumped. The employees working in that area are instructed to throw all that delicious food out.
I was deeply saddened to hear of this, and asked the store manager, why throw away good food. He said so the store would not be sued, and the employees in that department would not cook additional food, so that they can take it home.
Both of those excuses made no sense to me. Was there not a better way?
The store was losing money in waste and some employee needs were not being met.
I thought of the millions of people in our country, some in our own community, that are living in lack, desperate for more food to eat. I even thought about the number of the chain store employees, nationally, with little or no extra money every month, to supply them with a good amount of groceries. This food could feed them and their families. I also thought about how cruel it was to instruct some of the same hungry employees to not keep the food, but to throw it away. Food that was good enough to be sold only moments before.
The store would not even discount the food for their own employees to buy.
There is an African Proverb that says “When there is more than enough, more than enough is wasted.”
It is estimated that between 30-40% of the US food supply is wasted annually, (133 billion pounds). A 2020 study, showed home waste at 39.95% of food bought, (Ref:ReFED). Some food discards of course were necessary. Foods that are spoiling makes sense to discard. However, how much of the discarded food was not spoiling?
How many other supermarkets discard delicious fresh cooked food on a regular basis? How many of the supermarket employees have little or no food to eat in their own homes?
How many corporations provide the basics of lunch or dinner meals for their employees as part of the benefit package, especially for employees that work the night shift?
Imagine at least 5 days a week you are guaranteed at least one meal a day.
When I worked in the hospitality industry, free meals were provided to us daily, in the employee cafeteria. Some meals were cooked specifically for us, and other meals were left over from catered events at the hotel. The latter of course was more in demand, but all of it however was appreciated.
Do or can our grocery stores and restaurants do likewise for their employees? What is our responsibility in all of this? Simple, we can help.
Even if they do not, we can, “be the givers, the servants, the comforters, the way makers”. What a legacy of “Give, Help, Love” That would be.
In the book of Mark,12:41-44, there is a story about giving. It is the story of the “widow woman who gave all that she had”, the two mites, (a few cents), to the temple treasury. Jesus’ response was the acknowledgement of her sacrifice, and a “teachable” moment. He pointed out that the rich all gave out of their abundance, but this woman gave out of everything she had. In other words her giving was the most meaningful, the most sacrificial, and an example to follow.
Like the widow woman we too can give a mighty offering. Not counting what we do not have, but giving out of what we do have, even if it is only 2 mites, or a few coins.
Harriett Tubman escaped slavery through a most perilous but courageous journey. She then made 13 more perilous and courageous trips back to the plantation and freed 70 additional slaves. She understood the power of giving. She understood the assignment.
Giving is not only honorable, it is a form of Servant hood. The greatest is not the richest, the one with the title, the power, the arms or the army.
“The Greatest of them all is the Servant.” The sacrificial giver, the one that considers and helps the least of them. Mathew 23:11.
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“Whatever you have done for one the least of these, my brothers you have done for me. “ Mathew 25:40, (Jesus speaking).
Sonia M. Wignall
Sonia M. Wignall is Co-Founder & Board Chair, Diaspora Global Foundation, a STEM Education organisation. www.leanintostem.org. She is also a Cultural and Lifestyle Writer. Her articles and monthly column “Perspective”, can be found on Diaspora Digital News.
Note: “My work is not AI written or assisted”. SMW.