Commentary: What is the sound of one family's hunger?

A Zen Buddhist teacher's question, "What is the sound of one hand clapping," is meant to be enigmatic. The answer from a Zen student is individual and can only be contemplated after deep meditation and pondered within the routine of daily life - a life of compassion and understanding. Then the answer will be different for each student.

The sound of a family's hunger is much more obvious. It is the sound of encroaching poverty. Parents who are unemployed (Carson City' unemployment rate is currently 12.5 percent) and those who have lost their homes through foreclosure are struggling. At first it's manageable. Family and friends help. That works for a while but eventually the family and friends' help falls away. Poverty is almost invisible in this nation. But in economic downturns, poverty and hunger are insidious and difficult to mitigate.

There have been numerous stories in recent weeks about the extraordinary efforts of private Nevada citizens who are engaged in collecting and distributing food. There are also public efforts. The Northern Nevada Food Bank has been increasing its efforts to meet the escalating needs. Food for Thought, a non-profit food program for school children, has provided wonderful help. Food is getting to children who need it. There are many others, but it is not enough.

FISH ( Friends in Service, Helping) serves meals seven days a week to the homeless. Community volunteers and churches work diligently to fill the need. In recent months the lines have gotten longer. Where once FISH fed mostly homeless men, now there are families in the lines. Community volunteerism is wonderful and absolutely necessary, but it is not sufficient.

For those who don't want new taxes and those who want government to do less, be smaller, and possibly just go away entirely, I suggest you think about the sound of a family's hunger.

I realize that most of the anti-government advocates would reach out in an instant to help if, indeed, they knew about an individual neighbor's plight. But individual citizens cannot provide the needed public safety net. Government can help, just as when natural disasters threaten our community. Government provides the resources to protect people and property. We should do no less for needy families who have health and nutrition needs during economic downturns.

Government is not the problem; it is part of the solution. I might add, not the sole solution but it should be an active and smart partner as we address issues like health, safety and the general welfare of our citizens in good times, and bad.

Smart government can help us improve our lives and the lives of our neighbors. Let's support it.

• Dr. Eugene T. Paslov, former Nevada superintendent of schools, is a board member for Silver State Charter High School in Carson City.