Hello! My name is Karyn Fry, and I am a dietetic intern with the St. Louis VA Health Care System. I just completed a two week work assignment with Operation Food Search where I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and see what OFS is all about. (If you’re wondering what they are about at this point, it would be awesomeness. That’s right, they are all about being awesome.)
First, a little background to set the standard of what constitutes a label of Awesome. Awesome to me is striving to actually contribute to the betterment of those who live on this planet. Not just a making-things-fun better, which does have value and purpose, but a quality-of-life, I-get-to-survive-this-world-another-day better. For example, when I was in Africa, I saw Awesome in the AfricaHope ministry that provided HIV/AIDS education and help to those dying or most at risk. In India, I saw Awesome in International Justice Mission who worked to free those in labor and sexual bondage. In Jamaica, I saw Awesome in the barebones mental health institution that loved on, fed, cleaned up, and clothed those who could not do so themselves.
And in St. Louis, I saw Awesome behind the doors of Operation Food Search. What are they are doing to contribute to the betterment of those who live on this planet?
This:
- Cooking Matters. This is a program they offer, and it is also a play on words. They teach practical cooking skills to children, adults, and families and talk about the importance of making healthy food choices. Cooking Matters matters, get it?
- Operation Backpack. They send thousands of meals home with kids at risk for hunger every weekend during the school year. Every Saturday and Sunday, 170,000 children know they get to eat a meal because of this program.
- Food Distribution. Every month, thousands of people all around you are eating because OFS sends millions of pounds of food and necessities into the surrounding community.
- Hunger Hotline. If you are hungry, you call this number: (314) 726-5355 x3.
- Hunger 101. If you don’t know what it’s like to experience hunger, participate in this discussion. They will educate you.
- No Kid Hungry. OFS is a State Ally of this program. No Kid Hungry is working (very hard) to end childhood hunger in America. If you’ve never heard of it, you should Google it. In fact, you should Google No Kid Hungry and Jeff Bridges. Trust me.
- They know you are Awesome, too. OFS is able to do what they do because of the contribution of their volunteers and donors. You can be a part of this. Call this number: (314) 726-5355 x21 and make the lives around you better.
– Karyn Fry, Dietetic Intern