10/27/2025
One of the first, and possibly most important lessons taught in the early days of college for any mental health professional is Maslow’s heirachy of needs. Maslow teaches us that until our basic physical needs for food and water are met, we are incapable of worrying about anything else. We will risk our safety for our next meal, and moreover for our child’s next meal. We cannot learn to “control” the natural and necessary anxiety which surround our unmet needs until they are addressed. And we certainly cannot grow as people, build healthy relationships, or support others in their attempts to do the same with the pang of hunger in our core.
While Touchstone’s newly-formed nonprofit is admittedly underprepared for the task that may lie in the immediate days and weeks before us, we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that our community has access to necessary and adequate nutrition. We will be spending this week preparing to provide food to those in need this weekend should SNAP benefits fail to arrive. We will make plans as the week progresses based upon the most current information. If any caring community members, organization, or businesses feel so inclined to donate and participate, we will use our space to store and distrubute food on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 2 should this be necessary due the government shut down and pause in vital services. If you wish to be kept in the loop as to how you can help through donations, manpower, or other support, please email jmoon@touchstonetherapy.org or continue to chrck our page.
Let me end by saying that there is no room here for blame, hate, judgement, or even your opinion. If I can hold mine back this long, everyone can. That’s what has us stepping into this role in the first place. Instead, we will lean fully into our humanity and exemplify the values we hold so dear and define our very being. Please check back if you yourself may be in need or know someone who could be. We will do everything we can.
“The ultimate measure of health in any community might well reside in our ability to stand in awe of what folks have to carry rather than in judgement at how they carry it.”
