Are you hungry?  Hunger is a sensation millions experience, daily. We can do something about it, we can do more than you think, you can do something today (right now).  Please read on – there is a hungry person and family near you and in this truly tumultuous economic year, every single dollar, minute or food item you donate can put food in to the mouths of those who hunger.

When I was a child I’d sometimes fuss with my food at dinner (the all time fuss-bucket winner was brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea – Gemmifera Group) my mother loved them, they just weren’t my favorite).  My mother would have none of it, and would admonish me to clean my plate, eat my veggies and add, “Don’t you know, there are starving children in China?”  Clearly I didn’t and the impudence in me probably offered to envelope and send the food to China vice my stomach, but what I didn’t understand is, while there may very well have been starving children in China we didn’t have to go so far, there were starving children much closer to home.

The above transpired well over 50 years ago.  We are now in November 2009 and there remain millions who go hungry every day in too many countries across this world we share, including in the United States.  How is this possible in today’s world, given the advances in the science of agriculture, type and sophistication of transportation and logistics, and the visibility to the plight of so many?

Unfortunately, it is because so many lack the resources to satisfy their basic need – to acquire food.

Here’s some stats about the situation in the United States:

•    The USDA notes in their report “Food Spending Declined and Food Insecurity Increased for Middle-Income and Low-Income Households From 2000 to 2007” dated October 23, 2009 just how precarious as “The prevalence of food insecurity increased from 10.5 percent
  of households in 2000 to 11.1 percent in 2007.“
•    Nearly 96 billion pounds of food go to waste each year in America – while millions of people struggle to get enough to eat.
  

Here’s what Food Lifeline of Washington says about the situation in my state of Washington:

•    “Food Lifeline’s missing meals report shows that more than 163 million meals are still needed each year in Western Washington to ensure all low income families and individuals have three nutritious meals a day” 
•    “‘The profile of a hungry person in Western Washington continues to defy society’s assumptions.’
  Nearly 45% of the individuals using a food bank, meal program or shelter in Western Washington have some form of post-secondary education. Only 15% are actually homeless.”
•    38% of the hungry people Food Lifeline serves are children.”
•    13% of the hungry people Food Lifeline serves are seniors.”

How can you join me in making a difference today:

•   Libbys and Feeding America’s “Virtual Food Drive” – My family and I are supporting this effort (see upper left hand corner of this blog).  Libbys has generously offered to match dollar for dollar every single dollar this campaign raises up to $30,000 – given our goal is $2500, if we reach our goal – we place $5000 into the coffers of Feeding America (formerly Second Harvest) for use nationwide and that equates to 35,000 meals.   (NB:  In Western Washington the Feeding America affiliate is Food LifeLine)           Please click this URL to join my campaign:  Let’s Feed America, Together   
•    Your employer – Is your company hosting a financial matching campaign?  Many are.  If you are a small group or company, consider initiating your own Libbys campaign or join mine – either will double those donations (up to $30,000).   Please click this URL to join my campaign:  Let’s Feed America, Together  
•     Your time – Your most valuable resource is time. If you can’t donate funds, can you donate time?  A food bank I give of my time is Northwest Harvest.  Northwest Harvest is an independent entity which supplies goods to over 300 food banks throughout the state of Washington.  In addition they have a food bank in Seattle on Cherry Street, where you aren’t asked to “qualify” – you show up you are fed.  Think about donating your time at the Cherry Street facility or their Kent warehouse.  (Tell them I sent you).
•     Your food – Yes – donate, please donate pastas, rice, grains, dry goods, baby items, canned and jarred goods.  Prior to donating an item in a food drive, please look at the expiration date.  I’ve sorted hundreds of boxes of donated food which must be discarded as the item was past expiration date.  Isn’t it easier for you to discard the item than have the charity do it? 

The above provides a bit of perspective, read the USDA report, it is sobering.  You have the means to provide relief, it boils down to choice, please choose to help those who hunger.  Please join me and let’s put food in the hands of those who need it most.   Please click this URL to join my campaign:  Let’s Feed America, Together

Thank you for your time.
All the best,
Christopher

(I’ll address the global hunger situation in a future post)