How Does World Hunger Affect You Or Does It?

[Ecuador Jim]

Steve Guttenberg had (or may still have) a ritual he followed after becoming a successful actor. He spent Friday evenings making sandwiches, and spent Saturday morning finding homeless people to pass them out to. He said that he faced hunger enough times, and wanted to share some of his good fortune.

That inspired me to volunteer at a Shelter during the holidays. The first one was one of the saddest and most joyful days in my life.

Volunteer for a cause you believe in. Donate your time, not just your money. There are so many causes that would love your concern and passion to help them serve more people. Instead of allowing your energy to fall into the pit of guilt; channel it to positive change...sort of the "Pay it forward" concept.

 

[Dracca]

Steve Guttenberg had (or may still have) a ritual he followed after becoming a successful actor. He spent Friday evenings making sandwiches, and spent Saturday morning finding homeless people to pass them out to. He said that he faced hunger enough times, and wanted to share some of his good fortune.

That inspired me to volunteer at a Shelter during the holidays. The first one was one of the saddest and most joyful days in my life.

Volunteer for a cause you believe in. Donate your time, not just your money. There are so many causes that would love your concern and passion to help them serve more people. Instead of allowing your energy to fall into the pit of guilt; channel it to positive change...sort of the "Pay it forward" concept.

Yea, I agree, volunteering is a great way to help. NO WAY would I pass out food on the street though. I have had some awful experiences. The last time I did that, I saw a guy on the street with a sign saying "Hungry, need money, please help" and so I walked into a McDonald's (was right across the street) and bought him a Quarter Pounder Meal...which to be honest, made me feel kind of icky, having been a vegetarian for the last 19 years but he was hungry and there was food. When I took it to him the guy literally threw it in the street, spit on me and yelled at me saying he wanted money, not food. Which I assume after that happened that he would have preferred money for drugs or whatever else if he didn't want a meal...but what the heck, his sign said HUNGRY. It was the last time I did that. I don't want to waste the meat, the money, my time or get treated like that again.

 

[Paisley]

That reminds me of a picture I saw in the Rocky Mountain News several years ago. A bum was holding a sign that read, "Why lie? I want a beer."

 

[carter]

Whenever someone asks me what I want for my birthday or Christmas, I invariably respond, "I want very child in the world to go to bed with a full tummy, a roof over their head, and no fear". I don't say this because I believe it's going to happen. I say it because I know it could happen if all adults in the world put someone first other than themselves.

But it's not a Pollyanna world and probably never will be.

So, I agree with the person who stated, "Think globally, act locally". As Twitch has noted, churches have the infrastructure in place to do a great deal of good, both locally and globally.

For instance, our church has an on-site clinic to help the low-income and uninsured in the community. We are also very involved with the North Texas Food Bank. We support a half-dozen missionaries around the globe and that doesn't mean just religious education. When we lived in Houston, a group of us made sack lunches on Friday evenings and took them to homeless people, living on the streets, under bridges, under overpasses, and in wooded camps, on Saturday mornings. In winter we also took donated coats and blankets. We even had people refuse these items. We were bewildered but not discouraged.

Could any of us do this on our own? No but when people come together, great things can be done.

It's really not too difficult to give financially for most of us. It's a bit harder to give of yourself, your time and your talents. No one can do all things but everyone who is so inclined can do one small thing.

Still, I look around and see that we, I have far too much. Do I feel guilty? No, but I could get by with a lot less.

 

[Lincsong]

This topic sounds political.

 

[Twitch]

Nothing political about it. We're coming into the holidays again and the idea of putting your charitable dollars or donated time on target where it does the most good and gets the most mileage is what we should all do.

Just do it!:eusa_clap

 

[Bebop]

This topic sounds political.

It is impossible to talk about world hunger without some politics coming into play. Unfortunatley it is not as easy as "Just do it." That reminds me of "Just say no".
We can all do our little part but without politics getting involved, we won't make the slightest difference in world hunger. Without politics you can help the guy down the street from you but you are not going to be able to help anyone starving in another country.

 

[Foofoogal]

I have worked every week for 4 years at our local food bank. August and September are the worst months as everyone is getting children back in school and everyone forgets. The pantry I work in has 22 churches involved but 5 mainly work it.
In the late near end of school the local schools have a food drive which helps take us thru the summer.
About Oct. the girl scouts have a drive which helps till Christmas when everyone gives it seems for the Holidays. This helps out till about Feb.
I would like to say this as in winter months when men are most likely to be rained out it is hard.
I would also like to state we have to buy our food for a nominal amount when we run out from the larger food banks nearby unless of course people give like at the churches or just walk in and give which many do anonymously which always makes me so happy. One guy is like clockwork with canned meat and I mean alot. Never wants us to even take his name.
We also keep tight records to not be taken advantage of by some.
They have to show us a drivers license with local address, phone bill or other bill with address and ssn of each member of the household. It is also a 3 mo. program to give them time to get back on feet though some elderly come for whenever. I state this because there is misunderstanding on some as they think it may be just addicts or etc. needing help.
The majority of our clients are single moms and the elderly who need extra due to medicines and the like.
When people especially children are hungry they are not thinking politics I can assure you.
I also try to have beanie babies and little toys like hot wheel cars on hand to give the children. Some of these children are drug around alot and you would be amazed as to how much joy it brings them. Their little faces light up.
Such a pleasure to work there and I always tell them everyone goes thru hard times. It is no disgrace and when you get back on your feet come back and give. Many, many do just that.

 

[Erik]

"How Does World Hunger Affect You Or Does It?"

I feel blessed and try to do my part to ensure others receive similar blessings.

 

[RondoHatton]

World Hunger Relief Week

"$1 feeds 5 children" read the sticker on Taco Bell's window - so only 25 were served from my very humble donation - which was attributed to "Gilbey - Fedora Lounge".

Why do I remind myself of Stan Freeberg's "Take An Indian To Lunch This Week"?

 

[Gilbey]

"$1 feeds 5 children" read the sticker on Taco Bell's window - so only 25 were served from my very humble donation - which was attributed to "Gilbey - Fedora Lounge".

Why do I remind myself of Stan Freeberg's "Take An Indian To Lunch This Week"?

Thank you RondoHatton! You inspire me!