Mr. Rogers’ Mom Was on to Something

Fred Rogers’ mother comforted him when he was a child by challenging him to “Look for the helpers”, during a crisis. Mr. Rogers was a young boy in the 1930’s , when unemployment was high, the Dustbowl was driving farmers out of Oklahoma, and the news from Europe was unsettling.

As a young child, those words allowed him to trust that he would be okay. He was safe, he was loved, he had plenty.

That idea can also soothe worried adults.

While those words were intended to soothe a small child, I believe adults can also rest in them during this Covid-19 crisis. I am comforted during this anxiety-provoking time to accept the food that comes to our office from donors using Amazon Smile to send food directly to A Simple Gesture. Comfort also comes when I see the folks at Backpack Beginnings pack boxes to deliver supplemental food to the children of Guilford County; those who rely on the kindness of strangers to have enough to eat while school isn’t in session. The handwritten notes that accompany checks from donors who want to prevent children from going hungry give me comort. We generated 20,866 meals from food you donated last Saturday; that’s comforting. When I look around, I see helpers everywhere and I’m overwhelmed.

Let’s start a movement: Hero for Hunger

I am looking for the helpers during this uncertain time, and I’m finding comfort, but I’m also changing the name from “helpers”. I’m looking for the heroes. Let’s start a movement. Be a hero for hunger. Own the title if you’re already a hero. Take a photo of yourself with your green bag, post it on our Instagram or Facebook, with the hashtag #heroforhunger. You’re out there sewing masks, donating food, donating money. Don’t be invisible. We need to see you, and you need to see us. None of us is alone. Let’s all look for the heroes.