By Dr. Bill Blanke
Catholic Healthcare
Most of us will gather around Nov. 28 to celebrate a delicious Thanksgiving meal. I spend the majority of my day in the office talking to patients about their food choices, the effect on their health, and how these choices may put them at risk of certain conditions. I often say — “all things in moderation” — so go ahead and have a few more side dishes than normal and a slice (or two) of that delicious pie. “Moderation” often becomes the norm, and while Southwestern Indiana is a great place to live, we are not known to be the physically healthiest part of the country.
While you are pondering whether to go back for seconds, here is some “food for thought.” Many in our community havefood insecurity which is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life.
Food insecurity is associated with increased risk for multiple chronic health conditions such as poor oral health, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, mental health disorders and high blood pressure. For pregnant women, it can have long-term health implications for themselves and the babies they are carrying. For children, it leads to poor academic performance and delayed development. As of 2022, Vanderburgh County had a 13% to 26% food insecure population. Several surrounding counties are the same or less.
Where are the food pantries in your area that you can donate to or help with? I know of a few in this area. Sts. Mary and John Catholic Church, St Vincent de Paul, Nativity Food Pantry, Holy Rosary Catholic Church and Newburgh Area Food Pantry located just south of St. John the Baptist Church. Our family has volunteered at food packing events at the Tri-State Food Bank, this organization supplies boxes of food to food pantries.
Local organizations make a special effort to provide meals around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many participate in these events and, in the words of Pope Francis, “stop and look in the face, look in the eyes of the person who is poor and needing help.”
On a pilgrimage in the past, Dana and I learned about Cross Catholic Outreach and the ministry they do to feed people throughout the world. Dana worked with this organization to bring an event to Evansville.
On Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, the first Evansville Catholic Community food packing event will take place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes have teamed up to bring this event to Evansville. With the help of Cross Catholic Outreach, we will package 50,000 meals that will be sent to those most in need. Of the 50,000 meals, 5,000 will remain local to help right here in our community.
How can we package 50,000 meals in a morning? Lots of help! Some have already signed up, but we have room for 100 more volunteers who will work side by side in assembly line style. Whether putting stickers on boxes, dumping bulk rice and bean packages into bins, or scooping rice and beans into plastic packs, this will truly be a family event with roles for everyone. There is already an 87-year-old woman who is signed up to volunteer!
Each meal costs 33 cents which means we need $16,500 in donations, half of this has already been raised through organizations and individuals. Even a small donation goes a long way. Once all the bags are boxed up, Cross Catholic Outreach will ship the boxes overseas, most often going to Africa and South America.
This event is a tangible, corporal work of mercy (feed the hungry) that exemplifies to our children and community the value of human life and love of neighbor, not to mention teamwork and passion. And to have this event during a Jubilee year is all the more important!
For more information about this event, to volunteer or donate, please contact my wife at [email protected]. Yes, I have her permission to share her email address.
We have so much to be thankful to God for. Enjoy great family time and meals over the holidays. While you do, remember we are a “both/and” faith. You can both enjoy good food and give of your time, talent and treasure to help those in need in our community and throughout the world. Gather your friends and family for this Evansville Catholic Community food packing event!
Dr. Bill Blanke practices family medicine in Evansville. He and his family are members of Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville.