this does make you think. we all have alot to be appreciative of, especially in these crazy economic times.  thanks for a thought-provoking post.

Good on you for bringing the point right home.  My mother is of Native American heritage and although I never really knew hunger in the sense that you did, I know her family struggled…they didn’t get help from the government either, in fact the government in the USA took most of what the Native Americans held dear…their land, food supply, religious beliefs, and their children.  I am lucky (and grateful) I didn’t have to know the suffering of my mother or her parents years ago, but I try to teach my daughter about good stewardship of our resources…one never knows if or when it might not be available any longer.

Sorry for blogging on your blog, but KUDOS to you my friend!
NuKiwi

Wonderful post, Bren.  Sorry it’s taken me a couple of days to get here – we’ve been having some family issues this week.

Your family has certainly been through a lot.

Bren…this is a powerful piece and not exaggerated. Bravo to you for taking it on. When I was in Cuba several years ago (an allowable ‘cultural’ trip from Miami), even the restaurants had rationed supplies. We got small portions, often couldn’t get frijoles to accompany the rice, and we were paying. I just this week mentioned my experience in a post I wrote on my blog called Meandering Meals.

Bren – this piece is soul touching. We do sometimes forget how good we have it – reading this I wanted to give your aunt and grandma a big hug. Family go out of the way. I am trying to bring my son to realize not to take such “everyday luxuries” for granted. It’s so important.

World Hunger Year co-founder Bill Ayers will be my guest on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com at 5 PM New York time today to talk about World Food Day.
Please go to my blog at http://www.garybaumgarten.com and click on the link to the show to talk to Ayers.
Thanks.

Thanks for the story on the reality that is food shortages and rationing.  Like most Americans, I have no idea how things are in Cuba, and this is interesting, albeit also sad.  The fact that they live off of such little food is startling, when in America, we are big time wasters.  Growing up I never had food problems, but we made sure everything was eaten.  The dog didn’t have to lick it clean, because it already was   Thanks for sharing.

Bren, I couldn’t stop thinking about your post last night and this morning I put a small comment and link on my blog to yours.

Chica, being from a poor country myself I have also seen real poverty. I am blessed because my family owned a restaurant and we enjoyed being part of a “middle class” in Mexico where at least food was always abundant. And it is sad that in this day and age we are things like this still exist.
I am watching the new video as soon as it finish downloading

Interesting and informative.

And to think, I thought gub’ment cheese and food stamps were bad!

As such the glutton that I am, this is a soul searching piece Bren.

This is such nice post that comes out at the right time.  Every month I bring bags of food to the local Food Bank and I was once a volonteer back in Nova Scotia.  I want to make a difference in the life of someone and I don’t want to see another kids hungry.

Bren,

When I was reading your post all memories came back to me. We had rationed food in Poland also, each person was given little coupons that you had to use in the shop in addition to money, no coupon, no food… also cigarettes and vodka were rationed so my parents were exchanging them for food coupons with someone. And on Christmas we children were getting gifts from Russia, some sweet,  fake chocolate money, they were hardly tasting of chocolate, and 2 oranges per child!! Even now I eat every bit of orange, because I remember when they were sooo precious.
Right now life in Poland is good, my parents can’t complain but my Michael’s family is not so lucky. At the moment we are packing barrel to send over in next week or two when we fill it mostly with baby stuff and shoes… they are price of gold there.

Excellent post Bren. 
And tus padres are awesome!

Muy bien escrito guapísima!!!! What a story Bren! I know how it is in Cuba… I went on holidays there many years ago… I fell in love with Cuban people! So open, so smart, so sweet!
Comunist and dictatorial regimens are horrible.
My grandparents and parents also suffered from hunger during the Spanish Civil war and right after… I don’t want to imagine how they could live with that fear and that hunger. 

Hello! I love your blog! My name is Hannah Huffines and I represent Whynatte Latte (soon to launch) and Concentrics Restaurants. I want to invite you to a media sneak taste of Whynatte Latte November 13, 2008. What email address can I send the invite to? Thank you for your time!
Cheers,

Beautiful post, Bren.  We should all remember what we have and how we often take it for granted.

Bren, that is one hell of a real-life story. Thank you so much for sharing it with your readers. I for one, wouldn’t have known abt life in Cuba if you didn’t write about it. And to know that people there still dont have enough food is really sad.

I may not have any first-hand experience when it comes to hunger but my parents did. They were born/grew up during the WWII and our country was invaded by the Japanese. My late grandmother used to tell us stories about how they survived on just tapioca. No rice was available. What more fish or meat. Unheard of, during those times. Growing up, my parents always scolded us if we didn’t finish our rice/food. They always say, “the rice will cry if you dont finish eating them”.

Thank you for such a touching post. A very good friend of mine had everything taken from his family in Cuba in the early 60s and he’s told us many a story on life there. We have much to be thankful for and thank you again for reminding us of that fact.

I think this was one of your best and most real posts ever. You told it like it was. Makes you think how lucky we are but how we still have such a long way to go in the world.. Thank You .

Thank you for sharing. World hunger is definitely a major problem and I feel that the people who have the power to change it, have the responsiblity to change it. This country(U.S.) has a surplus of food that is thrown away everyday. Yes, there are some organization out there for the cause but still I see no change. We have advanced in technology and medicine but no advancement in HUMANITY. Maybe things will change when enough people start caring.

I’m very appreciative of the hard work my dad put forth to get us American citizenship, let alone food on the table. Little things you don’t think about like a six pack for a family of seven, and he’d skip out & drink water. Not a big deal at all, unless you realize that’s how he’s always took care of his family; by putting himself last.

Both of my parents grew up in Mexico, and when I was younger I used to be upset when I had to pick between toys and clothes for Christmas (I always picked toys),  and when they couldn’t afford to send me to college, but you get wiser as you get older, and you start to understand why. 

I remember asking mi papi about his childhood, and I found it cool how he used to make balls out of bubble gum and orange peels and how he watched Mickey Mouse through a neighbor’s window.  It’s amazing how much we take for granted in the pursuit of happiness.

Hi Brenda. I just came over from Maria’s site to say hi, after reading her post about your Pollo Assado.    I’m glad I did and to have read your lovely post.  You’ve said everything that needs to be said about hunger  and  although my generation never faced hunger problems our families did and that’s why we (a group of three bloggers but hoping that the number will increase soon) are trying to raise awareness by our event which began with the  WFD and this month I am continuing a second round with WFD – Time to be thankful.   Hope you’ll join us.
http://kopiaste.org/2008/10/announcement-of-world-food-day-event-%e2%80%93-time-to-be-thankful/