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Food for Hope: How John van Hengel Invented Food Banks for the Hungry
Hunger continues to be an international problem. This true story of how one ordinary person did something extraordinary shows how everyone can do something to make a difference.
Readers will feel encouraged to find their own way to make a difference. Real life experience plus social justice interests combine into a powerful solution, filling empty bellies with nourishing food, all without costing a lot of money. Recycling meets hunger in John van Hengel’s ingenious, yet obvious solution to both food waste and widespread hunger.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 2, 2023
About the author
Jeff Gottesfeld
75 books36 followersI always say that If hunger could happen to John van Hengel, it could happen to any of us.
John van Hengel was the last person in the world one would imagine on a soup line. He had been the golden boy of his small Wisconsin town, from a secure family where he never missed a meal, not even in the depths of the Great Depression. He was president of his high school class, graduated from college, and moved to California to surf and play tennis with movie stars. His people skills led to a high-powered sales position at a big company. Money rolled in. He married a model and had two sons.
Then, his life fell apart. A few years later, he found himself disabled and homeless in Phoenix, Arizona, dependent on a Roman Catholic Church soup kitchen for food.
On that soup line, John changed his life. He refocused his Catholic faith, took a vow of poverty, and resolved to feed as many people as he could. Through an unlikely convergence of circumstances, John learned how much food was thrown away by supermarkets and big companies, and asked his church to help him start a food bank. His priest said, “John, you heard the call. Decide if you want to answer.”
Less than a year later, John opened the St. Mary’s Food Bank, with only volunteer labor. Soon after that, he started Second Harvest, which ultimately became Feeding America, one of the world’s largest charities.
He never took a dime of payment and maintained his vow of poverty until his death.
We all know Charli D’Amelio. Kim Kardashian, and MrBeast. But John van Hengel? Not so much. FOOD FOR HOPE(Creston, May 2, 2023, with illustrations by Michelle Agatha of THE CHRISTMAS MITZVAH fame) brings this most unsung hero to life, in an America where 1 in 8 people face food insecurity, including so many kids, and a world with too much hunger.
If John could do this, what can we do? This book, for people ages 7 and up, can help us, no matter what it is.
John van Hengel was the last person in the world one would imagine on a soup line. He had been the golden boy of his small Wisconsin town, from a secure family where he never missed a meal, not even in the depths of the Great Depression. He was president of his high school class, graduated from college, and moved to California to surf and play tennis with movie stars. His people skills led to a high-powered sales position at a big company. Money rolled in. He married a model and had two sons.
Then, his life fell apart. A few years later, he found himself disabled and homeless in Phoenix, Arizona, dependent on a Roman Catholic Church soup kitchen for food.
On that soup line, John changed his life. He refocused his Catholic faith, took a vow of poverty, and resolved to feed as many people as he could. Through an unlikely convergence of circumstances, John learned how much food was thrown away by supermarkets and big companies, and asked his church to help him start a food bank. His priest said, “John, you heard the call. Decide if you want to answer.”
Less than a year later, John opened the St. Mary’s Food Bank, with only volunteer labor. Soon after that, he started Second Harvest, which ultimately became Feeding America, one of the world’s largest charities.
He never took a dime of payment and maintained his vow of poverty until his death.
We all know Charli D’Amelio. Kim Kardashian, and MrBeast. But John van Hengel? Not so much. FOOD FOR HOPE(Creston, May 2, 2023, with illustrations by Michelle Agatha of THE CHRISTMAS MITZVAH fame) brings this most unsung hero to life, in an America where 1 in 8 people face food insecurity, including so many kids, and a world with too much hunger.
If John could do this, what can we do? This book, for people ages 7 and up, can help us, no matter what it is.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 19, 2023
ONE MILLION CHOCOLATE BUNNIES
In Jeff Gottesfeld's latest inspiring book, FOOD FOR HOPE, we're profoundly impacted by the true story of John van Hengel, who began the world's first food bank in 1967. He asked, "The poor we shall always have with us, but why the hungry?”
He asked for himself as a once wealthy man who'd lost all, and for the line of people waiting with him daily for a free meal at a Catholic church in Arizona.
"Their stories opened his heart. He found work at the kitchen, shelter in a cheap room above a garage, and faith in prayer with Father Ronald at St. Mary’s Church."
John later convinced fruit growers to let volunteers harvest citrus that would go bad. A young mother also showed him a supermarket dumpster, claiming she fed her family well from food the grocery store discarded.
He conceived the idea of a free food bank -- "a place to share food being thrown out" -- and within a year, was able to get supermarket warehouses and others to donate 125 tons of food that he and his volunteers distributed. And after a government agency offered to help him spread food banks in America, food donations poured in, with even a million chocolate Easter bunnies arriving one day.
John expanded his work internationally, and toiled tirelessly until his death from Parkinson's Disease in 2005. Yet the problem of food insecurity persists, we learn, with 1 in 8 Americans suffering today, including 13 million children, and the world's numbers even more dire.
In its moving simplicity, FOOD FOR HOPE asks, "What will YOU do about the hungry?" As the question washed over me, I wept and was moved to act. That's the power of a Jeff Gottesfeld book.
~~
Heartfelt gratitude to Jeff Gottesfeld, talented illustrator Michelle La, and Creston Books for the review copy. Opinions are decidedly mine. For ages 7-11 and adults of all ages. Out now.
In Jeff Gottesfeld's latest inspiring book, FOOD FOR HOPE, we're profoundly impacted by the true story of John van Hengel, who began the world's first food bank in 1967. He asked, "The poor we shall always have with us, but why the hungry?”
He asked for himself as a once wealthy man who'd lost all, and for the line of people waiting with him daily for a free meal at a Catholic church in Arizona.
"Their stories opened his heart. He found work at the kitchen, shelter in a cheap room above a garage, and faith in prayer with Father Ronald at St. Mary’s Church."
John later convinced fruit growers to let volunteers harvest citrus that would go bad. A young mother also showed him a supermarket dumpster, claiming she fed her family well from food the grocery store discarded.
He conceived the idea of a free food bank -- "a place to share food being thrown out" -- and within a year, was able to get supermarket warehouses and others to donate 125 tons of food that he and his volunteers distributed. And after a government agency offered to help him spread food banks in America, food donations poured in, with even a million chocolate Easter bunnies arriving one day.
John expanded his work internationally, and toiled tirelessly until his death from Parkinson's Disease in 2005. Yet the problem of food insecurity persists, we learn, with 1 in 8 Americans suffering today, including 13 million children, and the world's numbers even more dire.
In its moving simplicity, FOOD FOR HOPE asks, "What will YOU do about the hungry?" As the question washed over me, I wept and was moved to act. That's the power of a Jeff Gottesfeld book.
~~
Heartfelt gratitude to Jeff Gottesfeld, talented illustrator Michelle La, and Creston Books for the review copy. Opinions are decidedly mine. For ages 7-11 and adults of all ages. Out now.
April 1, 2023
This important book that should be in most libraries, as there is a serious hunger problem in our country today...I add this to my "necessary" books for kids.
Picture book riches-to-rags biography of John van Hengel and his effort to feed other hungry people throughout the world through the establishment of food banks. Opening with Hengel in a soup kitchen line, the text quickly mentions how he came to this place in life. Open to the possibilities of helping others, his ideas grew into an organization of food banks not only in the U.S., but also around the world.
Gottesfeld tells a compelling story about this "Average Joe" who had a great idea of how to feed others - not only with food, but also with hope. He gives just enough information that readers may very well seek out more detail in other sources. It ends on a hopeful note.
Backmatter inludes an Author's Note with more info about van Hengel, some terms used in the book, notes about his research and inclusion of dialogue, and a timeline for van Hengl's life, how Second Harvest tecame Feeding Amrica an how Global Food Banking Network has grown around the world.
Digital (?) illustrations by Mihelle Laurentia Agatha are bright and colorful, a bit primitive in style, and filled will diverse characters. They work well with the text.
My local food bank, The Dayton Foodbank, is affiliated with Feed America. It ranks 42nd of 108 MSAs, with 1 of every 6 households struggling with food hardship. The problem is real.
Picture book riches-to-rags biography of John van Hengel and his effort to feed other hungry people throughout the world through the establishment of food banks. Opening with Hengel in a soup kitchen line, the text quickly mentions how he came to this place in life. Open to the possibilities of helping others, his ideas grew into an organization of food banks not only in the U.S., but also around the world.
Gottesfeld tells a compelling story about this "Average Joe" who had a great idea of how to feed others - not only with food, but also with hope. He gives just enough information that readers may very well seek out more detail in other sources. It ends on a hopeful note.
Backmatter inludes an Author's Note with more info about van Hengel, some terms used in the book, notes about his research and inclusion of dialogue, and a timeline for van Hengl's life, how Second Harvest tecame Feeding Amrica an how Global Food Banking Network has grown around the world.
Digital (?) illustrations by Mihelle Laurentia Agatha are bright and colorful, a bit primitive in style, and filled will diverse characters. They work well with the text.
My local food bank, The Dayton Foodbank, is affiliated with Feed America. It ranks 42nd of 108 MSAs, with 1 of every 6 households struggling with food hardship. The problem is real.
August 11, 2023
Much like its subject, Food For Hope is a straightforward, simple story about a man who quietly answered the call when it came time to take action without any adulation or fanfare. This is the “riches to rags” story of John van Hengel, a person who seemingly had everything, and one day found himself with nothing - hungry and standing in a free food line at a church in the hot Arizona sun. Soon after he found his calling by organizing methods to go and to gather unused food from local farms, fruit groves, and local supermarkets. Soon after he started a food bank that eventually became the Second Harvest organization. His life became quietly purposeful again by helping others in need. This story can find its place in schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, or a home and serve as a lesson as to the significance of helping others. It shows how one person can step up and respond to a need for community service and a call to action. It also highlights the need to respond to those who suffer from food insecurity - a need, as stated in the book’s back matter that affects 1 out of every 8 people in America. Jeff Gottesfield tells a meaningful story that can be read to all ages. It also reminds us about acknowledging others instead of looking the other way - sometimes a simple idea can solve a big problem. The bright illustrations by Michelle Laurentina Agatha compliment the text perfectly. And letś not overlook the powerful quote that sets the story in motion: The poor we will always have with us, but why the hungry?
March 25, 2024
Meet John van Hengel.
Privileged, wealthy, well-off.
Not so much.
After a shake-up, van Hengel finds himself on the other side of the Soup Kitchen line.
When fate steps in, in the form of a dilapidated bakery, John decides to help others by creating the first official Food Bank.
Times can change (as we all have seen recently). It is also hard to imagine that van Hengel established the first official Food Bank in 1967 (that's not so long ago).
Initially, I was skeptical of John as being a philanthropist when he originally came from money (rich white cis man turned humanitarian), but it didn't feel like that. I guess I can benefit from not passing judgement too quickly, having forgotten that I myself was homeless for a time and 'dumpster diving'.
The book's short text makes quick work of John's history, the colorful illustrations, and the food-statistics are quite impressive.
So remember, there is always hope out there. You just have to get creative with where you find it sometimes.
Privileged, wealthy, well-off.
Not so much.
After a shake-up, van Hengel finds himself on the other side of the Soup Kitchen line.
When fate steps in, in the form of a dilapidated bakery, John decides to help others by creating the first official Food Bank.
Times can change (as we all have seen recently). It is also hard to imagine that van Hengel established the first official Food Bank in 1967 (that's not so long ago).
Initially, I was skeptical of John as being a philanthropist when he originally came from money (rich white cis man turned humanitarian), but it didn't feel like that. I guess I can benefit from not passing judgement too quickly, having forgotten that I myself was homeless for a time and 'dumpster diving'.
The book's short text makes quick work of John's history, the colorful illustrations, and the food-statistics are quite impressive.
So remember, there is always hope out there. You just have to get creative with where you find it sometimes.
August 30, 2023
About 70 years ago, a man who had gone from riches to rags and stood in a food line at a Phoenix church. His name was John van Hengel and he would later open the first food bank ever in 1967 and call it St. Mary's Food Bank. That grew to be Second Harvest in 1975 and then later was renamed Feeding America in 2008. Today there are 200+ Feeding America food banks in the US supporting 60,000+ food pantries and programs. This inspiring book reminds all of us to continue to share our overflow with those who are experiencing a time of want. Love the concise story based on newspaper accounts and interviews as well as the engaging, colorful illustrations. A top notch picture book to share with the kids you know.
June 21, 2023
Really great biography of how the first food banks were created. John van Hengel not only came up with the concept, he started America's Second Harvest which has since become Feeding America. This is a great book to read before taking children to volunteer at food banks. Pair with Maddi's Fridge to talk about food insecurity. Highly recommended for grades 2 & up.
December 28, 2023
From Second Harvest to Global Food Banking, this story covers a lot, but mostly explains how one person can make a gigantic difference in the lives of others. This story about John van Hengel is quite lovely and the illustrations by Michelle Laurentia Agatha are full of life, color, and love.
Back matter allows for more learning. I am grateful to Jeff Gottesfeld and to his step daughter for this book! (My only sorrow is how fragile the binding feels of the book I read. I will seek this story in library binding, for sure.)
Back matter allows for more learning. I am grateful to Jeff Gottesfeld and to his step daughter for this book! (My only sorrow is how fragile the binding feels of the book I read. I will seek this story in library binding, for sure.)
October 28, 2023
The amazing true story of a man who literally goes from riches to rags and what is born out of this very difficult life. I never stopped and thought about where the concept of food pantries came from but am inspired by John van Hengel and the miraculous good he has done.
November 23, 2023
Really enjoyed this story of how food banks came to be. The art is excellent and the text font is different but welcome! Well done. Great addition to text about making a difference and being the change. Will purchase for my middle school library.
November 23, 2023
Excellent story of the man who started the first food bank. It is a great inspiration, and the art is just gorgeous. I do wish the story had touched on the effect the food banks had on others, though.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews