Kohathite: I Thought I Understood Hunger | What I Saw Behind The Scenes Of A Food Bank Made Me Question Everything

I Thought I Understood Hunger | What I Saw Behind The Scenes Of A Food Bank Made Me Question Everything

I’ve always known hunger exists. We hear about it in sermons, see statistics in the news, and maybe even notice someone holding a cardboard sign at a stoplight. But it wasn’t until I stepped behind the scenes of a food bank that I realized how little I actually understood.

Scripture has always called us to see the world through HaShem’s eyes. In Deuteronomy 24:19–21, we read: “When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” The Torah reminds us that our blessings aren’t ours to hoard — they are meant to overflow into the lives of others.

And Yeshua deepened this truth when He said in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Feeding the hungry is not just an act of kindness. It’s an act of worship, a way of honoring HaShem with our hands as well as our hearts.

What I Saw Changed Me

The first time I walked into the warehouse of a food bank, I expected empty shelves and scarcity. Instead, I saw rows of crates — boxes of produce with a few blemishes, cartons of milk close to their “sell by” date, bread that had been pulled from the store that morning.

So much food. And yet, all of it had been on its way to the dumpster.

I couldn’t shake the image: a mountain of bagels and apples just hours from being tossed, while only a few streets away, families were rationing half a box of cereal to make it last until payday.

Then I met Jacob and Leah, a young couple with two little ones. They told me they’d been skipping meals so their kids could eat. Leah’s eyes filled with tears as she said, “I never thought I’d be in this place.” That night, they went home with bags of fresh vegetables, bread, and even a cake that had been donated. For their children, it wasn’t just food. It was joy, dignity, and hope.

The Hidden Tragedy of Waste

Why does this happen? Why do supermarkets throw away so much food?

Sometimes it’s expiration dates — misunderstood and overly cautious. Sometimes it’s produce that’s “too ugly” for store displays. Sometimes it’s simply easier for a store to toss food than to coordinate donations. The hidden tragedy is that convenience often outweighs compassion.

But Proverbs 19:17 tells us: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.” When food is wasted while people are hungry, we all lose. When food is rescued and shared, HaShem’s heart is revealed.

Stories of Redemption

I’ll never forget seeing a little boy bite into a rescued apple — one that had been deemed “unworthy” for the grocery store shelf. His face lit up, and his mom whispered, “We haven’t had fresh fruit in weeks.” That apple wasn’t just food. It was life.

Food recovery turns what was discarded into blessing. It redeems what the world calls “waste” and transforms it into nourishment. Isn’t that the very heart of the gospel? HaShem takes what is broken, overlooked, or unwanted, and makes it new.

Living Out Our Faith

As Messianic believers, we are called to live out the compassion of Torah and the love of Yeshua. Food recovery is more than a social cause — it’s kingdom work.

It honors creation by stewarding resources.
It honors people by feeding the hungry.
It honors HaShem by reflecting His justice and mercy.

Every rescued loaf of bread, every saved carton of milk, every meal provided to a family in need — these are holy acts.

How You Can Join the Journey

Beloved, the problem is big, but so is the hope. Together, we can stop food waste and hunger from walking side by side in our communities.

Here’s how you can help:

Share this message. Let others know that food recovery is possible and powerful.
Volunteer. Give a few hours at a food bank or recovery ministry.
Donate. Support organizations that make food recovery possible.
Advocate. Speak to local stores, congregations, and leaders about participating in food rescue efforts.

I walked into that food bank thinking I understood hunger. I walked out realizing it is both deeper and more solvable than I ever imagined.

May we be people who answer the call of Scripture, who feed the hungry, who steward creation, and who honor HaShem with open hands. And may we one day see the prayer of Psalm 146:7 fulfilled: “The Lord upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.”

Will you join me in this journey?