Editorial: A Call to Action

Update 10/28/25 2 p.m.:  The Banner will be partnering with Carroll County Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and McKenzie Rotary Club in the collection of non-perishable food items.  

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For many, Halloween signals the start of the holiday season. For the next two months, the theme of the holidays is to celebrate family, worship, feast, honor the past, be grateful, think of others, and give back, among other things. There are many traditions and observances that take place between now and January 1, but the theme that runs through all of it is connection.

We all want to feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves, but sometimes we get mired in the responsibilities of every day life.

There’s so much to do and not enough time to do it. The days are long, but the years are short.

Time is moving so quickly and change feels like a fierce crusader hunting us down.

I know I feel like I’m being taken for a drag (not a walk) most days. I mean, November 1 is Saturday!

It’s hard to stay on top of everything that needs to be done. Most days, I feel like I’m failing, but every day I get up and try again.

Perfection is an illusion. Social media is only a highlight reel. When others seem to have it all together, they don’t.

Remember that next time you open the app or visit the website.

For example, last week, the car line at MES on Friday after the Boo Bash was long at almost 8 a.m.

Everyone was running late, meaning parents were pulling their hair out trying to get kids to school on time and not be late to work. Guarantee: Gentle parenting was in short supply that morning, along with patience; but did you see any posts detailing all the struggles of that morning? I didn’t.

Everyone has a long list of worries on their mind.

That is one thread of connection between us all.

The reality is that things are about to get much worse for many people in rural areas like ours.

I fear that hunger will be the theme of November, a month we in America generally associate with a bountiful feast.

Hopefully, your family will be spared from this hardship; but like throwing a stone into water, the ripple effect will have an impact on the community.

Ignoring the issue doesn’t make it go away, it just makes you late to the realization. Callous words only show your heart.

People that are hungry focus on basic survival. Everything else takes a backseat. You can’t plan for the future when the present is an existential threat. In your budget, where does the money come from, when the money for food disappears (in this scenario you don’t have savings, only debt)?

It’s something to think about.

If you ever needed proof that we are all connected, widespread events make quick believers.

A global pandemic, 9/11, a recession, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes… are all events that forced people to rely on each other.

But with hunger, by the time the cracks start to show, the issue will already be at full strength.

Now is the time to prepare.

My challenge to you is this, start buying 1-2 cans of extra food, donate them locally. Build up a stockpile to outlast the storm together. Please give what you can. If you can spare anything, please do.

By helping your neighbor, you are ultimately helping yourself and your community survive.

In September, Carroll County had 3,552 individuals on SNAP benefits; Henry had 3,942, and Weakley had 3,346.

According to the 2024 U.S. Census, there are 29,107 people in Carroll County.

If everyone else in Carroll County (25,555 people) bought 2 extra cans of food every week, that is 51,110 cans of food, or 14.40 cans per family per week receiving SNAP.

You have the power to make a difference.

I encourage you to be the change and choose action over accusations.

Leading by example, The Banner will have a box set up in our lobby for non-perishable food donations.

We will work with local agencies to get the food distributed locally.

As our thanks, if you bring in 25 food items, The Banner will give you a one (1) year free online subscription (valued at $25). Yes, you can add years on to your existing subscription.

The deadline to turn in food at The Banner is Friday, December 12, 2025, so that all food can be distributed before Christmas.

If you feel called to do more, please don’t hesitate; and please steal this idea and make it happen everywhere there is a need.

Thank you for reading.

 

The Banner office is located at 3 Banner Row in McKenzie, on the second floor. For assistance, call 731-352-3323 or email banner@mckenziebanner.com.