By Rev. Olen V. Bruner

In the resplendent wisdom of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a beacon of compassion pierces through the darkness of indifference. His words, etched in the fabric of time, resonate with an urgency that transcends the mundane. “There comes a point,” he imparts, “where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they are falling in.” 

As the hands of the clock dance in the symphony of existence, Tutu beckons us to heed a deeper calling. It is not merely a cessation of charitable deeds that he advocates, but a pilgrimage to the source of suffering itself. For in understanding the roots of despair, we unearth the seeds of lasting transformation. 

In the hallowed verses of spiritual traditions, from the solemn scriptures of Mathew 25, echo the timeless mandate to nourish the hungry. Tutu, however, beseeches us to transcend the realms of immediacy, to traverse the corridors of empathy with a steadfast resolve. It is a challenge to elevate our acts of kindness beyond the temporal, to sculpt a narrative of empowerment amidst the shadows of destitution. 

The river of hunger, a torrential cascade that claims too many of our brethren, flows unabated. Yet, in the heart of this tumult, lies a silent plea for understanding. To quench the parched throats of the needy is but the first chapter in a saga of redemption. For behind every cry for sustenance whispers the tale of systemic inequity, where the scales of power tip precariously. 

Charity, a noble endeavor by all means, often masks the deeper malaise that afflicts our society. It perpetuates a narrative of benevolence veiled in privilege, where alms become a palliative for the symptoms rather than a cure for the ailment itself. Tutu, in his unwavering clarity, unveils the facade of inequality, urging us to confront the disparity that plagues our collective conscience. 

In the poignant words of Bryan Stevenson, the luminary behind the Equal Justice Initiative, “The opposite of poverty isn’t wealth. The opposite of poverty is justice.” Herein lies the crux of Tutu’s exhortation—a clarion call for justice to reign supreme amidst the clamor of disparity. 

In the annals of time, a chapter unfolded this past January, where valiant souls gathered in the embrace of enlightenment. Against the backdrop of the coldest winter night, they converged upon the sanctum of knowledge, the public library in Salisbury. It was here, amidst the whispers of change, that the 2nd Annual National Day of Racial Healing found its voice. 

As the stars glistened in the tapestry of the night, a mosaic of voices resonated with purpose. Volunteers, torchbearers of hope, illuminated the path ahead, sharing tales of resilience and resolve. It was a testament to the indomitable spirit that thrives amidst adversity, a testament to the enduring flame of compassion. 

In the wake of this awakening, a question lingered in the air like a delicate fragrance—a question that stirred the depths of contemplation. What arrangements, we pondered, perpetuate the shadows of food insecurity? And how may they be reshaped into beacons of sustenance and security? 

Led by the guiding light of Actions in Faith and Justice, we embarked upon a voyage of discovery. Through the prism of communal wisdom, we fashioned a tapestry of learning, a tapestry christened “Focus on Food Security.” 

And lo, as the sands of time shift once more, an event beckons on the horizon — a symposium of enlightenment set amidst the hallowed halls of the Rowan County Public Library. On Tuesday, April 23rd, at the stroke of 6:30 pm, in the sanctum of the Stanback Room, we shall convene. 

It is here that we shall glean from the wisdom of Hope Oliphant, the harbinger of change, the Executive Director of Main Street Marketplace and Meeting Place. In her discourse, we shall witness the alchemy of charity transformed into a beacon of enduring impact. Main Street Marketplace, with its pioneering spirit, heralds a new dawn in the battle against hunger — a dawn where charity intertwines with empowerment, where sustenance blossoms from the seeds of dignity. 

Mark your calendars, dear friends, for this rendezvous with destiny. Let us march hand in hand, guided by the spirit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu himself. For in the embrace of compassion, lies the promise of a brighter tomorrow—a tomorrow where justice reigns supreme, and the river of hunger runs dry.

Rev. Olen V. Bruner is an honorably retired pastor with the Salem Presbytery. (P.C.USA) and co-chair of Actions in Faith and Justice.