Saturday, September 10, 2011

Hunger Action Month

Hunger.  It is a serious problem in lots of communities.  Throughout the world, and throughout America.

This month is Hunger Action Month.  Who decided that?  I have no idea.  But hunger is an issue I care about, so I posted a couple of things on Facebook.  And then Amy encouraged me to blog about it.

So I am.  And I think I'm going to create a linky.  Because I'm going to blog about hunger more this month, and that way you can find those posts easily.  But what I am hoping is that you will blog too.  Or you will comment here.  Because I am certainly not an expert on hunger or on how to alleviate the problems.  I do know a little bit though.  Or I know where to send you to find out more.  And I'd love to learn from you...



Feeding America is a nationwide organization that has been a fabulous help in learning more about the problems in this country.  They have a website where you can find out about organizations in your community, or statistics for your state, or you can read stories from people who regularly (or sometimes) deal with hunger issues, or you can read about their suggestions for what you can do to help.

For instance, I can input my state on their home page and learn that there are five food banks serving my state, that the food insecurity rate in Colorado is 14.3%, and that the child food insecurity rate is 19.6%.

They link food banks, so I can go right to the website for Care and Share Colorado to learn more about what they do.  Care & Share serves 31 counties -- including the one I live and and the one Dale works in -- over a pretty huge geographical area.  A lot of that is rural.  And I know firsthand that rural hunger is a different ballgame than urban hunger.  Connor is trying to figure out an Eagle project that will do something for rural hunger in our area.

Visiting Feeding America is a great first step in doing something, or following them on Facebook.  Visiting the website of your closest Food Bank is another.  Find their Facebook page too.  It's a great way to have an idea as to what is going on.

In the next I-don't-know-how-many days, I'm going to post more.

What does hunger look like in America?
What help is out there if you are struggling with feeding your family?
How can you and/or your family help?
What about hunger in other countries?

Any other ideas?

4 comments:

Jennifer said...

A friend just spent the summer as a missionary in New Orleans and shared that there, hunger is not as big of an issue for homeless as other places as so many churches and agencies offer soup kitchens. I found that interesting. There are many other needs that are still unmet, though. Here, just a few hours from New Orleans, there is nothing like that except temporarily such as after a hurricane.

Catherine said...

This one of my huge crusades as well. I give donations to another well known organization, and make sure that I select some American relief. We also donate locally. There are some seasonal activities we do, too. (At Thanksgiving, during Advent, and Lent)
-Catherine

Kym said...

I've heard of Feeding America, but didn't know much about them. checking out the website now and educating myself. thanks for bringing these important organizations to our attention!

Colleen said...

Thanks for your post. I guess I don't think as much about this as I should, I am too well fed!

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:42