Annam Parabrahmam

Back in April, when I called her on my birthday, I found that she was out spending her time thus. This impressed and interested me immensely and I concluded there was a message for me and ever since then, this bug has been successfully implanted in my mind. While I browsed the fmsc site, it became more and more evident that this seemed like a Mid-West organization that didn't have too many such events out here in the Mid-Atlantic region. While I found other volunteer opportunities in the meanwhile, I just couldn't squash this bug.

Sometime back in June-July, I was back at the website and was surprised to hear that they would have the meal packing event on the road through fall of this year. The closest location happened to be in PA, about 2 hrs away from my place. This was scheduled for October and as I mapped out the location, I discovered, much to my delight, that the route to get there was along one of my favorite roads. A road that I have driven along many a spring/summer morning or evening right after a satisfying meal when the mood craves for a long drive, along winding roads and lush fields and thriving farm stalls selling berries or pumpkins or fresh apple cider. It was a done deal. What could work out better, right? Right!

Food has always been a big part of me. I enjoy my food, specially good food. Its what defines me and I believe that no gathering of friends and family can be a success without food being involved. I think food is a unifying thread that binds cultures and personalities. I am a foodie and hence it was no coincidence that I signed up for the 'Feed my starving children' make-a-meal event.

The drive began at around 6am, on a somewhat cool fall morning. There was a mild drizzle which didn't really dampen my spirits since dawn hadn't set in yet. I reached there in good time and was welcomed by a group of volunteers who showed me around the warehouse where this event was scheduled. In addition to meals, this distribution center also supplies clothing and shoes to about 55 countries around the world. The people who make Crocs had just sent 18 pallets to be shipped to the underprivileged.

The make-a-meal event began with a short video about the starvation that is out there, primarily in countries like Haiti. To further enforce this fact, we went through a small exercise. The organizer made 80 of us gathered there to stand up. One by one she would call out certain 'conditions'. All of you that wear glasses, raise your hand- and then she would go 'then if you lived in these countries, you couldn't get glasses. So for the rest of this exercise, shut that eye or eyes and realize your plight if you were here'. Next- all of you who have fractured a limb-hands or legs, raise your hand- and if you did, you wouldn't have had any treatment, so for the rest of the exercise consider the hand or leg to be out of function. So on and so forth she went- those of you who've had measles and mumps- sit down- cos you would not have survived out here.

At the end of the exercise, almost everyone was sitting, which means 80 of us would've been wiped out. A pretty daunting realization, eh?

Within a few minutes we were in the packing center, with hair nets and gloves. We were given instructions on what each food packet would contain and the quantities. Chicken(powdered and dried)-1 packet spoon, vegetables(dried)=1/2 spoon, soy-1 cup and rice-1 cup. Once the packet was filled, it would be weighed and sealed. These sealed packets would be packed in boxes, 36 to a box.

Each station had about 5-6 people to ladle the food, fill the packet, weigh, seal and pack. Thus we chugged along for an hour, the atmosphere filled with cheer and busy chatter. I was paired with some high school children :D who had volunteered as part of after-school activities.

When we were called to stop, 80 of us in one hour had packed 13,608 packets. That's 378 boxes. That's food for 37 children for 365 days. Yes, in just one hour of time. As the boxes were loaded into a pallet and sealed for shipment, we were asked to gather around and sign the boxes with our messages and with a short prayer of thanks, we were asked to disperse.

On my drive back, the rain had cleared and the farms along the way looked green and fresh. Thanks to my recent farmville pursuits, I paid special interest to the red barns, wheat and berry patches, granaries, hay bales, wood-piles, farm cottages and so on and so forth. The lines between farmville farms and real farms began to blur as I soaked in the beauty of these sights. The route was familiar and soothing, the breeze was light and airy and the skies were blue and clear ;I needed nothing else to end my morning.

I was back home for lunch, food that was all the more significant thanks to my early morning venture.

On this vein, have you heard this quote by Gandhi? “There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” Yes, there's hunger out there, hunger that kills. Not that you don't know this already, but please- please don't waste your food.

Annam Parabrahmam- Food is God!