Today is Hunger Action Day

Hunger Action Day is not a day you are supposed to go hungry. Instead it is a day to remind you that thee are 48 million Americans who don’t always know if they are going to eat today. As someone who has rarely missed a meal the idea that, even if I worked, I might not have enough money to buy food is horrible.
It just so happened that I was at the headquarters of the Food Bank of CENC today to chair a meeting of the Roundtable. It is a group of good friends of the Food Bank who gather to help with big picture/big idea issues. We had a nice turn out of people who are very busy with important other work, but were willing to take time to talk about food insecurity and how we can be part of the solution. I was very pleased with the engagement of new friends of the Food Bank as well as the support of many past board members who are true experts on the issue.
One of the highlights of getting to go back to the Food Bank is getting to see the dear Billie Churchwell, who has been the receptionist for 18 years, just a bit longer than my involvement with the organization. Billie is a smiling face who greets everyone with the same gusto, no matter who they are.  
In our old headquarters everyone coming to the building, be it partner agency representative, corporate volunteer or special needs volunteers, they all had to come past Billie. Now in the new giant building, volunteers have their own designated entrance a good five minute walk from Billie’s desk. It has been quite an adjustment for the volunteers who all know Billie not to see her when they come in. I am glad that I still have Billie as my greeter, but I do feel sorry for all the friends who are missing her.  
Orange is the color of Hunger Action and since this is the big day of course Billie was wearing orange. When you see orange this month let it remind you that there are hungry people right in our own community. Consider helping a feeding organization. They do so much for so many. And if you ever are so lucky as to visit the Raleigh Branch of the Food Bank, meet Billie and tell her you are a friend of mine. You will immediately be a friend of hers.