Total Eclipse (Foods) of the Heart
Some moments in life shift one’s being, knowing, and understanding of the world.
A few weeks ago, I experienced this type of moment while delivering AMWD meals in downtown Oakland with the staff of Eclipse Foods, a plant-based ice cream start-up. They were moved to action by witnessing people living in tents right outside their company walls and hosted a meal-making event at their headquarters.
I have been volunteering with A Meal With Dignity for the last year and have delivered over one hundred meals at this point.
Every time I hand off a meal, I feel a deep sense of connection—human-to-human oneness. We are the same, yet our experiences of life at that moment are so drastically different. I feel a sense of immense gratitude and humility.
That day in Oakland, my heart broke. My fellow delivery volunteer Christine and I drove through a freeway underpass and double-parked. Carrying our bags of meals, we entered a village of about 60 tent homes. Some with padlocks and improvised doors for a sense of safety. Some people sweeping their tent floors, some resting.
As we walked along the road, we called out, “We’re with A Meal With Dignity. Would you like a fresh meal?” At first skeptical, they then welcomed us with our meals. They looked after each other, making sure they got enough meals for their families and friends. We distributed 75 meals there and still could have used more. Right down the road, there were more of these tent villages with more people fighting to survive with so few options and support.
They were exhausted, scared, discarded, and left to fend for themselves on the streets.
I used to feel fearful passing houseless people on the streets. Like I was invading their turf and might be attacked. I have been yelled at many times in my life by unwell people. Sometimes people who are mentally struggling are best to not interfere within those moments. But the vast majority of people I have delivered meals to are just so grateful. Grateful to receive care, attention, and nourishment. They thank me. They are touched to know they are not invisible. That people are looking out for them even for a moment.
Oakland tent encampment we delivered meals to.
That day in Oakland left me stunned. How did we get here? How is this OK? How can these people be left to suffer in such huge numbers? I’ve driven by these encampments many times and turned a blind eye. That day handing out meals, I felt a shift inside. I need to share my experience and stop normalizing homelessness. It is not OK that anyone is that vulnerable to losing their home and has to suffer and die on the streets. Because that is the reality. People are dying right outside our doors. And one moment of human kindness DOES make a difference. It’s time to open our eyes and our hearts and to take care of each other.
By Casey Hagerman
