Over the last few months since this virus hit our country, life has been different. Adjustments have been made like wearing a mask, staying away from loved ones, and being seated away from others. Virtual schooling, working from home, and stores closing early have all become the norm. There are so many changes going on in life right now!
A big one that comes to my mind is how many people are seeing the store shelves still empty after all these months. I mean the toilet paper hording was one unusual and crazy thing, but really months later many stores have not recovered. I have noticed major food shortages on the shelves AND I have noticed the stores trying to conceal it from the public. Have you seen that at your local grocery stores? There is less food and it is spread out on the shelf but only one case deep rather than the shelf being full of cases.
I have heard many different theories as to why things are still not restocked.
• The field workers, then the food processors have been affected by the virus.
• The crops were plowed under when there was no one to harvest the foods.
• The food is available, but someone is not releasing it to the public.
• And may other ‘ideas’ from conspiracy theories to fear of the future or even the end of times.
Some of those ideas seem plausible, some come straight out of a movie, and the rest are somewhere in between. I am honestly not sure what is the cause of this shortage. It is a huge issue that is far above my little corner of the world. However, I do know that as I walk through my local Walmart and cannot buy frozen potatoes, frozen fruit, or Alfredo sauce I start to get concerned. What once was an aisle with numerous varieties and brands is now a section about 24 inches wide with one option. As I shopped tonight, I observed this over and over.
Shopping for a family my size is very difficult when store limit their stock or simply do not have stock to sell. When stores were limiting canned goods to 4 cans each, they had no idea that it often takes 4 cans to feed a family our size for just one meal. A dozen eggs might last 1-2 days. A gallon of milk is often drained in one day. Sandwiches for large families can use a whole loaf of bread for just one meal. The stores had no grace on family size. I had friends driving to multiple stores just to purchase enough food for there families. That’s scary folks! On the other hand, thanks to a friend’s suggestion, I headed to my local restaurant supply store and bought my items in bulk. A case of 96 rolls of toilet paper seems like a lot, but we have gone through most of it and quite a few other packages in the last few months. Two rolls a day is no big deal in our family!
After doing our grocery shopping tonight this food crisis is heavy on my mind. I have a house full of people that look to me to care for their needs. They expect to have food on the table. I want them to be well provided for and that gets harder if I am not diligent to prepare.
Do you prepare your pantry for times of famine? Many Americans do not! I once had a family member say “I only keep 3 days of food because we live so close to a store”, now reality is that if we were hungry most of our pantries would have much more food available than 3 days, but it might become slim pickings. Most of the older generation that lived through the hard times of the Great Depression have either passed on or are nearing the ends of their lives. My granddad who was born in 1916 told of eating oatmeal for every breakfast and brown beans for lunch and dinner growing up. They did not have ample pantries; they ate what they had. The stories this generation could share about going without could shock us compared to how enormous our food supply has been in my lifetime of 45 years.
We know famines are as old as Biblical times. Egypt and Israel are both countries that lived through great famines. Egypt successfully navigated it by preparing before the devastation began, while other countries have been decimated by lack of preparation. In Genesis 41 there is a detailed description of how Pharaoh with Joseph by his side saved a nation through preparation. I would go as far as to say right now we need to be prepared as individuals, families, and even as a country for the hard times that seem to be coming. If you are prepared you can not only provide for your own household but be a blessing to others in need. In hard times many will struggle with big needs, will you be able to help?
If you do not know how to prepare, first pray about it.
James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Secondly, have a plan of what will store easily and long term. Beans, oats, wheat, rice, oils, baking supplies, things that do not need refrigeration like powdered milk or potatoes, canned goods, and pasta. Many of these items are not on our ‘regular’ shopping list, but for the small expense of stocking them you might later be glad they were available.
Third, write when your item comes in your home. Tonight’s groceries were marked 10/20 so I will know to use them after the 9/20 canned goods. This helps me keep my pantry in order and using our resources wisely with less wasted food.
Finally, stock extra knowing you will be using it for the needs of others, maybe family, neighbors, or those in need. Today I was able to use foods in my pantry to deliver meals to two families, one with a new baby and one that is recovering from surgery. It gave me the opportunity to love on others in their time of need (like they did us over the last year!)
Romans 12:13 “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality”
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