Betsy Kneepkens: Simply paying for food is straining families

Faith and Family 

I get annoyed when I see Christmas decorations at the end of August at most stores. I was frustrated until I realized my family started discussing what we were having for Thanksgiving Dinner in September.  

In no short order, all my six children will live in six different metropolitan cities: Nashville, Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City this holiday season. We have one college student and five young professionals with limited time off. How do you bring everyone together to the same place, at the same time, for dinner or any other festivities? I never imagined that all my children would be spread everywhere but near where we raised them. Food is undoubtedly one of the drawing cards to entice our children to incur the cost and hassles of traveling during the busy season.   

One of the privileges of sending your adults off alone is that you no longer must count every penny. There were some lean years and some uncomfortable times, but we managed to get through. When I go grocery shopping, I pick up what I want without obsessing about what coupons I have or if it is on sale. I am still frugal out of wisdom but not out of need. There is a bit of relief with what we can do now because we don’t have the problem of providing food and other necessities for our children.  

On a recent grocery shopping trip, I went through the do-it-yourself lane. I do this regularly, as I like to leave the store as quickly as possible. However, on this trip, for whatever reason, I began to pay close attention to what each product cost. I wasn’t purchasing anything extraordinary, just the usual staples. What was two or three dollars three years ago was now four or five. Milk, cereal, a loaf of bread, sandwich meat, cheese, and even a frozen pizza was $7.99.  

I paused and thought, “I don’t know how we could have done this with six kids at home.” Those who live below the national poverty level always have it difficult. Hopefully, those struggling with no or fixed income will seek out federal, state, and local resources to help them feed their families. For those who are middle-income with several children, I will call this food price inflation a crisis.  

I recently connected with a young couple, both college-educated, employed, beautifully and intentionally raising their three children. This couple shared they don’t think they can have any more children because they can’t afford to feed them. They are not practicing Catholics, so cooperating with our Creator isn’t in the front of their decision-making, but it is a powerful testimony to what some are quietly enduring.  

The Catholic Church has always been at the fore of leading solutions to societal woes. I am unsure if this is a temporary problem or a new societal condition, but we will have to figure out how to help families adapt to the dramatic increase in food cost. Having families making family-sized decisions based on whether they think they can afford to feed them is unacceptable, and as people of faith, we need to help ease the hardship.  

Families need to do their part. Food waste must be avoided as much as possible, so leftovers and creative cooking must be the norm. Children mandating what the family eats may have to end, and they will have to eat what you serve. At times, specials at fast food places might be cheaper than homemade, and using coupons online or in newspapers should always be considered. A family’s new best approach might be checking ads and shopping at more than one store for the best deals.  

When I had kids at home, I learned that bulk buying at warehouse stores was only sometimes the cheapest way to go, especially if food goes to waste because it rots. Or the price of food just isn’t better. Planning with store ads in front of you is essential, and checking product prices on the lower shelves is often the best way to go. Most stores have discount areas, and I always start my shopping there. Families must be so strategic when tackling this issue or your food bill can get out of control.  

Parishes can help young families as well. If your parish has growing families, consider a family needs shelf with food, clothing, and other necessities. At church events, like a pancake breakfast, unused food, made or unmade, should be available or delivered to those larger families. More importantly, pancake breakfasts and other events should have a family charge so those with five, six, seven, or more children can participate without an individual price per person. If land is available, a large parish garden can help serve those families too.  

Housing prices are skyrocketing as well. We can’t expect families to have room for a garden or knowledge on how to garden. Parishioners that have green thumbs can provide mentorship to those who are learners. Sometimes parents with small children do not have the time or resources for a garden, so a parish garden’s produce could be used to ease the financial food pressure on the large families. Canning is a lost art (I don’t know how to do it) that could be taught, and the jars can be distributed to those who could use them.  

Keeping this food difficulty in mind and being creative can go a long way to help those who are trying to do everything right but are still struggling. Today’s economic woes are making basic needs tricky for families, and we, as Catholics, can help each other. The Catholic Church must serve those in need in our community. Who to serve is not a “but” or an “or” problem. As a community of Christ followers, we must serve all.  

I think my most challenging times for figuring out family needs may be behind me. My young adult children, God willing, will be approaching this sort of issue in the future. We will work to bring our children together for holidays throughout the year. For the rest of the time, I hope they are part of a loving, caring Catholic faith community in whatever town they live in. And I hope that community is organized to walk with and support them during their difficult times.  

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, and I am hopeful the fried turkey we are broiling is yummy with the leftovers divided equally among my adult kids. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Betsy Kneepkens is director of the Office of Marriage, Family, and Life for the Diocese of Duluth and a mother of six.