REVIEW: IT’S HUNGER AWARENESS MONTH!

Food insecurity is a huge problem in the United States. Sometimes people have trouble affording food because they can’t find work, or they have trouble finding food close to home. Fortunately, food pantries exist to help families when they are facing such difficulties. And, as Molly learns in this picture book, everybody needs help sometimes.

TITLE: SATURDAY AT THE FOOD PANTRY

AUTHOR: Diane O’Neill

ILLUSTRATOR: Brizida Magro

PUBLISHER: Albert Whitman & Co./2021

​OPENING LINES: 
 
“Dinner!” Mom called.
“Chili again?” Molly asked.
They’d had it every day this week. Last week too.
“Yup,” Mom said. “Tastes even better—the spices sink in.”
Mom ladled the last of the chili into their bowls.

In this sweet picture book, Molly makes her first visit to a food pantry when her mom is having trouble finding work and, as a result, affording food. Her mom explains that “everybody needs help sometimes.” But when Molly sees a classmate at the food pantry who doesn’t want anyone to know she and her gran get food there, Molly wonders if there’s something wrong with accepting help. This story sensitively shares what visiting a pantry might be like and some of the very real circumstances that lead to food insecurity, as well as addresses the feelings that some children (and adults) might experience when they face the stigma of needing to ask for help. Brizida Magro’s darling illustrations depict a diverse cast of characters and are perfectly matched to Diane O’Neill’s heartwarming text. I love SATURDAY AT THE FOOD PANTRY, and I hope you do too!
 
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