Within the past week an issue surfaced during a typical conversation between me and a few friends. In some way, doesn't a touchy subject always surface during a conversation? Everyday, I encounter some discussion that revolves around taboo subjects such as abortion, education reform/ guns in schools, gun control, immigration, or the president. Like many people, I hold back my personal opinions until someone else makes a statement that I agree with. However, this conversation surfaced and it pulled on my heartstrings a little too hard; so here I am, to bring it up to you, my readers.

I was sitting at Texas Roadhouse eating dinner with my fiancé, his uncle, and a few friends when the subject came up about throwing away food. For example, one of the girls we were with worked in the food industry and we were told that they had to throw away any unused food at the end of each day. As a preschool teacher, I understood exactly what she was talking about. After 30 minutes of serving food to our kids, we have to throw it away, regardless of what it is. That means we throw away perfectly good apples, bananas, oranges, and crackers.

I'll be honest and say I take it home. Why waste such good food?

After the conversation I found myself in my own world. I thought about all the food that gets thrown away every single day. Then, I thought about all the homeless people I see on the streets as I go to work or school. Then, I had questions...

• Why is it that we throw out so much food?
• Why is it that when we see people on the streets we can't spare a morsel of our own lunches for the day?
• Why is it we can't give the food we throw away to homeless shelters?

We also view people who live on the streets who wear "nice" clothes, as having money and just trying to "steal" money or resources from the tax-paying American. Also, not true. Have you thought that maybe, just maybe, someone donated these clothes to them? Maybe someone offered to buy them clothes to help them get an interview and a job? Maybe, they spent that money someone else gave them to buy nice clothes to get a job themselves to get on their feet.

Yes. Of course there are some people on the streets who are trying to take advantage of you. But how will you know if you don't ask? Have you taken time to talk to them?

This brings me to my primary point. Food scarcity. There are thousands, MILLIONS, of people without food every day. I know kids that don't get adequate food each day and BEG to take home an orange from the daycare each day because they won't get dinner. WHY do I have to tell them no? Because the state tells me I have to say no. Now, don't get telling on me, but I give them the orange or the crackers to take home. Food scarcity for these children is not their fault. It's our fault as a society.

I am talking directly to the US.. for now.. let's ignore all those going without food in third-world countries and underdeveloped nations. Let's forget about how much we gorge on food everyday and never want to give up an ounce for someone else. Let's forget all that.

Just think about the individuals you see begging for anything on the way to work each day (or night). When was the last time you took time out of your day and talked to someone about their lives? When was the last time you donated your lunch to someone else?

For me, it's been a while. I AM a part of the food scarcity issue because I have the exact same mindset as you. I AM ashamed of how I have treated these people and given them an unfair judgment.

I think it is absolutely possible to rid of food scarcity. Instead of throwing away all this food at schools, give it to someone. You don't need that third snack cake or bag of chips today, give it to someone. Talk to someone on the streets and ask about how they got their. Buy them a meal maybe once a week, maybe once a day. Give up yourself because I know that if you're reading this, you probably have a phone or computer and likely have enough food to snack and eat three complete meals a day. Help rid of food scarcity.

Follow me on social media for more ways to help!