This morning as I woke up I never felt more grateful to be in a warm bed, surrounded by four walls and in the comfort of my own home. The previous night, my sleeping situation was much different. I spent a night, sleeping outside in a city park, to draw attention to those that are homeless. Throughout the night, I tried to sleep but I could not get warm. I couldnt feel my toes, I couldnt stop shivering. I remember thinking how I couldnt wait to go home. Thats when it hit me. My night in the cold could not even begin to measure up to what thousands of homeless individuals experience every night nationwide. The unfortunate reality is that they cant just go home the next morning. As I woke up, still shivering, I looked around at the amazing group of people that decided to stay the night with me, packed up my tent and said our goodbyes. That morning I was able to go home. Shower, warm up, get something to eat. So many people, dont have that option. I felt a sense of hopelessness in light of the enormity of this issue. It was reminiscent of the same kind of hopelessness I felt during the SNAP Challenge back in September (When I ate on a budget of $22.50 for a week, to raise awareness about hunger with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier). As in September, I encountered a mix of support and skepticism. Why spend a night in the cold to raise awareness? Why eat on a SNAP budget just for a week? Why? Because I wanted to understand what America’s homeless and food insecure go through every day. Because I have never experienced a situation where I did not have a home to go home to or a meal readily available to me. Despite my experiences this year I cant begin to understand the struggles that many face- childhood hunger, food insecurity, or the thousands that spend countless nights on the street. But what I took away from both of these experiences is something that cant be learned by reading the news. Its something that will always stay with me. Ill never forget how cold I was that night. What it felt like to sleep in 16 degree weather. The point is I didnt have to, but so many people do. And thats why I did it. I know as journalist it is my job to be objective and present an unbiased opinion. But in cases of homelessness and hunger, I feel there are no sides. Only to help. If you would like to help, contact your local homeless shelter, volunteer or donate. Even take the time to talk to someone on the street. Your efforts will go further than you may think. No one should have to sleep on the streets and no one should go hungry. Period.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:06:35 +0000
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