Giving back to Bloomington

I’ve gotten to that point in the semester where I just want to curl up into a ball of self-pity and ignore everyone else around me.

I’m ridiculously disappointed with my grades, worried about my future and want to have only “me” time for the rest of my life.

Not exactly the right mood to have during the holidays, especially Thanksgiving.

Our country’s whole thing about Thanksgiving is that we are thankful for what we have.
Granted, many things that we are thankful for have changed through the years, but the main necessities stay the same — food, water, shelter and heat.

We are all incredibly lucky to be in the positions we are at this very moment.

We’re in Bloomington, a wonderful town full of diversity and new experiences. We, as students, are fortunate enough to be in the position to afford our education, whether through personal finances, scholarships or financial aid.

And, one way or another, we are able to afford food. Residential Programs and Services meal contracts give us major discounts throughout on-campus dining facilities, and groceries are fairly affordable off-campus as well.

And usually, when all meal points or dollars are gone, we can rely on good friends to help out here and there.

There are people out there who are not as lucky as us. Each year, I give thanks for simply being able to eat, as so many people die from hunger each year.

I am able to live because of food. And food has also helped me find passion to design my own major in food journalism.

Somehow I always seem to forget, or simply put out of mind, how many people are in need in the world. Even worse, I can walk by some of these in need on Kirkwood any given day.

When was the last time you did something nice for those in need?

Unfortunately, I cannot recall my last volunteer experience. Granted, we can volunteer for many things to help out in schools or by cleaning up our planet.

And it’s hard to tell what’s most important to take care of.

But my past two roommates did a lot of volunteer work in Bloomington.

My roommate last year even worked regularly at a soup kitchen. Can you tell me the last time you worked at a soup kitchen, or consciously donated food on your own and not simply in your family’s name?

The Hoosier Hills Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, an organization dedicated to relieving hunger in the United States. Hoosier Hills has been around since 1982 and has many opportunities for you to give back to Bloomington.

If you have the means to do so, you can donate food to many different locations that are associated with Hoosier Hills. 

Both the Center for Sustainable Living, on South Rose Avenue, and Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard on South Walnut Street.

In addition, First United Methodist Church on East Fourth Street takes donations as well. If you live in the dorms, keep an eye out for boxes or bins labeled for Hoosier Hills in your main center. You can buy canned goods from the convenience stores to donate. 

If you want to volunteer, there are many ways to get involved. The Shalom Community Center, located in the basement of the First United Methodist Church, has a soup kitchen Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch.

You can also pack meals for families in need, as well as be a driver or warehouse assistant. Check out www.hhfoodbank.org to find out more.

Right now, I have way too much to do before finals week, and I keep lamenting the fact that I could be living a better life. But given the circumstances, I think I’m pretty lucky.

So I’m very thankful for what I have.

Be thankful. Give back. We all have our own struggles in life, but the least you can do is give someone a meal.