Traverse City Record-Eagle

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August 21, 2011

Reflections: A real-life survivor

By Ed Hungness, Local columnist ----

I never could quite get into the TV series "Survivor." I thought it might be an outdoorsman-type show about surviving in the wilderness, demonstrating survival skills. It was merely a game show in an outdoor setting. The participants, instead of helping and working together, were pitted against each other with the objective of eliminating everyone but themselves. Talk about brotherly love!

The whole concept seemed strange to me and I'm amazed how many seasons it's been running. In the real world, there are many who are struggling to survive in the literal sense.

For the past five years, I have volunteered at a local food pantry. The pantry has served countless needy people and it is rewarding to be part of it. Some of our "customers" are single-parent families struggling to get by. Some are senior citizens trying to make it on only their Social Security benefits. Many are unemployed trying to find a job or are in need due to medical issues. There are as many stories as there are different situations.

Today I am sharing one story with you about a real survivor.

Fife Lake is a small village and it's hard not to notice people you see on a regular basis. Even if you don't know them by name, you know their faces.

On my regular visits to town I frequently saw a man on a bicycle. I saw him on good weather days as well as days that were not conducive to bike riding. In rain and even snow there he was, always holding on to a large black plastic trash bag that dangled from the handlebars. Sometimes he looked soaked to the bone as he made his rounds.

Daily he rode his bike along the highway into the village. Upon his arrival he began his routine of stopping at dumpsters, "picking" cans and bottles that carry a 10-cent deposit. He checked businesses, parks, the boat launch site and the roadsides. At the end of the day, he cashed in his cans and bottles. This was his only employment. I felt sorry for him on wet and cold days. With no fenders on his bike, the water or snow flew off his tires, soaking him both front and back.

One Thursday while driving to the food pantry, I passed by this man on the bike. He had been on my mind and I wondered if there was a way to help. On impulse, I did a U-turn and drove back to where he was riding. I pulled over and waved to get his attention. He rode his bike to the side of my vehicle as I rolled down my window. I explained how I worked at the food pantry and asked if he could use some food. "Man, I can ALWAYS use food!" he exclaimed.

I shook his hand and introduced myself. Mike said he had heard of the pantry but his only transportation was the bike and it was difficult to haul groceries and ride. He gave me directions to where he lived, five miles out of town, down a sandy two-track, in the woods. I said I would bring him a food order that afternoon.

Normally the pantry doesn't deliver but I thought this was an exception. When my other pantry chores were completed, I loaded up Mike's food parcel and went in search of his camp. As I drove down the two-track drive, I had some concerns about what I was getting myself into.

Mike lives in an old pick-up truck camper that is located in the middle of a pine forest. He has no neighbors. He lives there and keeps an eye on things for the owner of the property who lives downstate. The place is littered with an accumulation of old trailers, equipment, vehicles and sheds. Mike has no running water or indoor plumbing. He struggles to buy propane to cook by and heat the camper in winter. I'm not sure if he has electricity. Needless to say, he was thrilled and appreciative to receive the food.

Since that day, I try to visit Mike about once a month. The food box includes items that one would normally take on a camping trip; things that are easy to prepare.

On one visit I took Mike some jeans, sweatshirts and socks that I had intended for Goodwill. I thought the jeans might be too big for him. He laughed and said, "Heck, that's why they invented belts!" Mike, in spite of his troubles, has a good attitude and is trying to be self-sufficient. He is the real survivor.

Ed Hungness and his wife became full-time residents of Fife Lake in 2005 after Ed's retirement. He can be reached at edhungness@yahoo.com or by mail at P.O. Box 57, Fife Lake, MI 49633

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