Blog Action Day--Part 2

Poverty/Hunger

In the 1980s there was a national demonstration in the U. S. to bring attention to world hunger. It was called Hands Across America. For younger readers, here’s a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hands_Across_America

For a while talking about world hunger was the big fad. Singers sang about it. Stars mentioned the topic while plugging their latest movie. Then homelessness became the new fad. Later stars hopped onto private jets to talk and sing about saving the environment. Lately the stars have given up the pretense and revel in making a show of gaudy excess. Most seem to have forgotten about the hungry, the homeless, and the environment.

That is why I am interested in the Blog Action Day. I have a few suggestions for average people like us who can do something to really help feed the hungry.

A) A community organization like a Sunday School group or Neighborhood Watch group could have a combined yard sale/bake sale and donate all the proceeds to a local mission or homeless shelter. It is a project that costs little money (maybe an advertisement in the newspaper) and you get to spend the day getting to know your neighbors. It is an especially nice project for the autumn or spring.

B) If you belong to a house of worship or community center, you could sponsor an Angel Food pickup point. For more information about Angel Food Ministries, check this link: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

C) Give a contribution to a reputable charity whether it is a food pantry at your church or a larger organization. I am listing three good ones here.

1. Feed The Children. Consumer groups have found that this group spends most of its money on actual food distribution. This link will lead you to fundraisers you can do for this organization. http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=org_specialprojects

2. Samaritan’s purse. The cool thing about this organization is that you can choose projects you would like to sponsor, like the purchasing of seed corn, chickens, or sponsor the digging of a well. Here’s a link: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

3. Memphis Union Mission relies on private support and receives no government funding. I once sat with a little girl and her mother as they ate. They told me that without this mission, they didn’t know where they would have gotten their supper. Here is a link: http://www.memphisunionmission.org/

I hope this blog has given you some ideas. Get involved and have some fun, too.