The Hubs and I had dinner with friends a couple weekends ago and the birthday girl told a story from her youth....
Her grandparents had a large garden every summer and that is what they ate on the rest of the year - so much so that the only things that they bought at the grocery store was sugar and baking items.
After they had finished putting everything up one summer, the family came home and found that the house had been robbed. They took the most valuable thing - ALL THE CANNED FOOD.... My friend told of how her grandmother just cried and cried and that my friend went to bed that night and vividly remembers wondering how they would eat that upcoming Winter. She remembers being afraid.... My friend would also want me to tell you that either by accident or purpose, her dog had been poisoned in the break in and she is still pissed....
They had a neighbor who also owned the grocery store in town and took care of them all winter. The neighbor was a gift - my friend still loves her to this day although she has been gone many years.
Anyway - after winter was gone and the summer garden was underway, one day the family came home and found ALL THE JARS AND LIDS washed and on the front porch. My friend's grandmother was crying again....The grandmother then told my friend that it was all ok because someone needed the food more than they did.
I am not sure why I keep turning over this story in my head. It may be the desperation of some people....or it may be how a kindness to another can still be remembered years later or it may be dont poison someones dog because even years later, if they find out, they will kick your butt.
Whatever the reason - people go nuts over food. It might not be a bad idea not to have all your storage in 1 space. It might be wise to not put all your eggs in 1 basket. Keep your pantry private - dont tell how much you have or how many months you could last - especially when you hit that year point. Making your pantry difficult to get in - steel door - lock - might not be a bad idea....
Have food to share with those that WILL need, but dont bring them back to your pantry to stock them up.
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3 comments:
That is a really touching story. It is amazing what lengths some people will go to for food, and while it was really nice of them to return the jars and lids, what would have happened to your friends family if they hadn't had that amazing neighbor. Thank you for the reminder that others need food too, but that some people will do anything.
Thank you for sharing, and thank your friend for sharing as well.
Thanks for sharing this. Nowadays, the jars would be found broken in your front yard :(
Sorry. Just being a pessimist. I'll stop.
That is quite possibly the more heartwarming and simultaneously depressing story I have ever heard.
The steel locking door is not a bad idea. Not letting others know is probably more essential. I don't think there are many people breaking into homes for food (yet) and if they did it would most likely be premeditated because Farmer John just got a beef back from the butcher, etc.
Keeping a couple days worth of food in a cupboard in the kitchen would be a good way to dispense charity, prepare food when others are around, etc. They see five pounds of rice, some flour, sugar, a few canned goods, etc and think nothing of it. They don't need to know there are shelves lining the entire basement.
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