I don’t know if this is something that bothers you, but I am just heartsick that there are still so many hungry people in this country. And, despite growing numbers of people having problems feeding themselves and their families, more and more food pantries are finding their shelves bare. Some are even being forced to close for lack of resources. All this in a country as rich as ours.
According to the New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH), about 1 in 6 New Yorkers do not always know where their meals will come from. This is a sin in a city like New York filled with wealth and wonders of all kinds! And this is not just true in New York – too many people all over the United States are hungry and unsure of something as essential as food.
While we spend oodles of money trying to fix the world in our image (often side-stepping true collaborative, humanitarian efforts aimed at critical world problems), we are draining our coffers and ignoring major issues of need right here in our own country. The divide between rich and poor grows wider and wider. As our brains get diverted by TV images of spoiled starlets in tears and folks paying tens of thousands to lift and tuck parts of their bodies, can we please not forget about the most basic of human needs?
On the policy side, the NYCCAH strongly urges passage of the latest Farm Bill (updated 2013) and pleads with Congress “not to tighten its fiscal belt on the backs of children, seniors, veterans, and families facing a constant struggle against hunger.” I know a lot of this is caught up in local as well as national politics, but I hope we can at least come together to help address the very serious non-partisan issue of hunger!
In the meantime, I keep asking myself what can WE as individuals do???
Well, one thing of course is to join me in making an extra donation – if this is at all possible – of even as little as $5 to a local food pantry or distribution program of your choice. In New York City, City Harvest gathers up excess edible food and donates it to pantries and food programs throughout the city. There is also a national non-profit Feeding America that can help connect you to a program nearest you.
Just so you know, money is often better than actual food, since most places have deals that get them food at wholesale prices, and can stretch your money further. Why $5? I was looking for an amount small enough that most of us could spare, and yet still enough to buy an actual meal or two and make a real difference, especially if enough of us give. ($10, $15, $20 or more is always welcome, of course!)
Second…if this is something that touches your heart too, please add an extra post about it. I know there are an endless number of things we could give our time and attention to, but to me, food is just so basic…and one thing we could actually do something about! Lord knows, there are so many things we can’t.
Also, the NYCCAH is sponsoring a Nationwide Citizen Service Effort to help with hunger. Details here.
All I care about is increasing the food supplies for those who don’t have enough to eat. So just take it and run with it in your own way! I simply want us to put the idea out there, especially at this holiday season as winter approaches – and as countless new people face hard financial times as a result of our burgeoning credit crunch.
Just imagine. If each one of you posts about this and inspires just 10 people to donate and gets them to get 10 people and so on, by the time we are done we could have raised tens of thousands. And that translates into a lot of real food for a lot of hungry people.
Thanks to all of you who decide to help. Let’s hope this gets lots of action!
Oh…one more thought. Even if you don’t have the spare $5 – and I well recall times when I didn’t – remember that just blogging about it can make a huge contribution.
————
Also, here’s a cool free way to help others get food through the United Nations World Food Program – in this case, rice. This wonderful website where you can play for free, lets you increase your vocabulary and donate rice – all at the same time. Just click FreeRice to play. It’s fun! (Warning: Very addictive!)
——
And to donate directly to the
New York City Coalition Against Hunger:
Pingback: Food as a basic right « Surface Earth
I am also distressed by the focus of our media on celebrity drama, inane gossip, and superficial body images.
I hear the “Don’t Almost Give” ads on my car radio, and I’m always moved by the message.
As you point out, we don’t have to be rich or famous to tangibly help the hungry, hurting, deprived people right here under our noses. It doesn’t take much to make a difference. It takes very little, but is priceless in value.
Thank you for this wonderful, humanitarian post.
Really appreciate your comment, MWM! Good to see you. I had no doubt these words would resonate with you. By the way…hope you are well. Have been thinking about you and just want you to know there is a BBN waiting for you any time you need one. (-;
Only three comments? That sucks the big one, truly. I am going to take this topic on when I can get my eyes and head to cooperate. I’ve not been well in any sense of the word and now while I’ve got this tiny window, I’m trying to drop by other sites and say hello and hopefully a bit more than that.
I wish you all the best my love and I hope you are well today and every day. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about any letters – it’s just like I said though – I’m trying to maintain some semblance of friendship (bloggertype) friendships and it does take some input – which I just haven’t had lately.
Always love always peace and special hugs.
~ RS ~
Ruby, my caring and passionate love. First, I am so glad for any window that brings more energy to you. Thank you for making this one of your stops. It means so much to me that you really get this on a visceral level the way I do. It also means a lot that, despite all you have to deal with in your own life, you will try to take this on in your own way.
I feel terrible that I wasn’t able to get more response to what seems to me such a simple request. But I understand everyone has issues that speak to them and we all are on overload in wishing we could help make things better. I have scads of food sensitivities and reactive low blood sugar and therefore, on a daily basis as my energy lags (I know you can relate!), am reminded what it must feel like for people who don’t have enough good quality food at all. I am so grateful that I do have access to great food. But, as I said, there are so many pressing issues out there, I want to understand. Still…just between you and me…it does piss me off that more people didn’t think this important enough to at least add a few words on their blogs. (Thank you SE!!!) This is just so basic – even though it doesn’t capture our imagination the way other pressing needs might. Just one small extra donation can mean so much! But then I have to accept that I didn’t do a good job of rallying. Plus I don’t get all that much traffic anyway, so a little help of any kind in spreading the idea would be great!
Thank you for your caring heart, RS. You touch me deeply. And of course I understand about all the other stuff. Thoughts are answers too. I send big nourishing hugs your way – as always! XOXOXO
I thank you for reminding me of this tragic situation. I live in Canada but I know the need is just as great here. It is sad how easily our brains and thoughts do seem to get diverted away from what is important in life. When it comes right down to it, there is not much in life more important to our physical bodies than food.
In the next few days I will be adding my name to your list of supporters and doing a post on this. Again, I thank you for this reminder.
Bill
Oh Bill…thank YOU for your caring heart. I know how hard some days must be for you, and yet you continue to show one of the biggest and most caring hearts in the blogosphere. Thank you so much for joining in. We don’t often hear stories here about people in Canada who are hungry, but of course they are there – and throughout the world – and it is a wonderful thing that you will help remind us all. Thank you so much. You put a BIG smile on my face this morning. Prayers and hugs to you, sweet Bill.
Pingback: Searching for Unclaimed Funds Online…Wheee! « Out of My Head
I’m a huge fan of this site. Helping people, learning new words . . and it’s free!!
Feed People at: http://www.freerice.com/index.php
Hey Lauren! Nice to see you. Thanks for mentioning it again. Yes…it’s a wonderful site. Educational, fun, donates rice, and free. What could be bad?
Pingback: Please help feed hungry people. « A Piece of Peace
Beautiful! Just beautiful,
May you be blessed,
M
I am honored by your words and visit. Thank you for adding your voice to those who remember that a simple, basic gift of food can make so much difference. BTW…enjoyed my visit to your blog. Those are some powerful posts, Maithri! I will be back to take them in more slowly soon.
Namaste!
Pingback: The First 3 Days of Making a Difference! « Mommyhood and Life According to Coco
Ronnie, I’ve just read Ruby’s post and now yours…I am not only grateful for the reminder of what it’s like to go hungry in a “rich country”, but also grateful to know you both for your gigantic hearts! I’m now going to go and find the Canadian equivalence…
peace and shakin’ the tree,
Lil xo
Hey Lil! Nice to see you. I’ve been thinking about you are doing well. Thanks much for the comment and the kindred spiritness (whether that’s a word or not, you know what I mean!) I just saw what you wrote on Ruby’s blog about posting about this! Wuhoo! Even if each blogger is responsible for only an extra few meals, still how wonderful! And may there be many more ripples from each post. (-;
Big hugs to you!
I am so sorry it has been a while since my last comment. I will be returning to do so more properly shortly. I ask you for a huge favor. I have received a most touching and heart breaking comment on my site. From a 14 year old who’s father is dying of brain cancer. I was so touched I published her short comment as a post. I am asking please for prayers but also short comments be left on my site. I will be emailing her and inviting her to return to what I hope will be a page of love and support for her. I do thank you so much
Bill…that is such a small request – especially for a birthday boy. (-; Happy to help. What a brave and wise 14 year old she is! Your kind heart is always welcome here. Any time I can help, feel free to ask.
Dropping in to thank you again for inspiring us. Loved the post over at Ruby’s too that referenced yours above.
Be well today!
Nice to see you again, SE. Hope you had a lovely break. Yes…I thought Ruby’s post was wonderful! Yours too, of course. (-; And Bill’s. And Lil’s. And even someone I don’t know at CocoCrispyBeans on WordPress. So grateful to all of you!
Namaste.
i would like to try & help if you email me, i have a question too.
thanks,have a great day
Hi NRUS. Glad you want to help. It’s so important and so easy. There are some useful links in my post. If you want to contact me, I have a link on my blog.