Faces of Hunger

Who is hungry? How can you tell?

One of the first things I learned when I started as CKMU coordinator was about the “Things We Don’t Do.” This statement covers using pictures of starving babies holding empty bowls to promote our program. We at CKP don’t do this for many reasons; one is that it paints hunger in a stereotypical light. Hunger doesn’t stereotype. It doesn’t prefer one gender, color, age or race over another.

"Appearances can be deceiving."

This past week has revealed many faces of hunger to me. My uncle, my old roommate and her family, my dad and some coworkers have all dealt with hunger and minuscule income for food at some point in their lives. Now that we can share this experience, I have become privileged to such information. This experience has very made me look at everyone I meet in a different light. I am a very accepting person who is excited and open to learning about others’ realities. After this week, my openness and acceptance will be enhanced.

It has been amusing for me to carry my little “secret” around this week. Sure, all of my coworkers, family and a handful of friends know what I am doing, but the people I run into on the street have no idea. They see me and it never crosses their mind that I might be hungry. I can feel my stomach growling and hope they don’t hear it. It has been my little secret.
I feel guilty mentioning that I’m starving to friends and family because I try to be stronger than it. But it is this hunger that clouds my thoughts and rules my reality.

For this week, my face is a face of hunger. Remember that when you see my picture on our website. Appearances can be deceiving.