I'm grateful that I have the option of having a full stomach. Granted, I seem to fill it too much, and could stand to lose a few (dozen) pounds. Conversely, on a typical day, an estimated 100,000 children* in the US go to bed hungry, and 13 million children* in the US are threatened with hunger.
This is in the United States of America.
During this season of giving, if you have enough to share, I would love to have you join me in the fight to end hunger in our country. Sharing doesn't always have to be a monetary donation. It can be giving of your time and your talents. Becoming active in organizations that lobby to change public policies is a great way to help.
Besides your local organizations, here are a few national programs:
Feeding America
Share Our Strength
Feed the Children
Catholic Charities
I'd like to hear your thoughts on hunger. What are we doing wrong, and what are we doing right in our country to end hunger? I will give an e-copy of my newest release, Scandalous L.A. Desires to one commenter, and I will make a $25 donation to one of these four charities in that person's name.
Thanks for listening,
Laura
LauraBreck.com
Secret Vegas Lives
Scandalous L.A. Desires
both available from Red Rose Publishing
*Source http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/04/editorials/hungry_us_children.htm
12 comments:
Oh Laura, how terrible children going hungry in a wealthy country like the US. It is the same here in Australia, it shouldn't happen but unfortunately it does and we have quite a generous social welfare system.
Regards
Margaret
So true, Margaret. Until our governments make ending hunger a priority, it will continue.
Laura, thank you so much for this post and your generous offer.
I agree we should all do what we can to care for our children. I hope everyone checks the websites of the fine organizations you listed. Working together we can accomplish miracles.
Barbara
Thanks, Brenda. It's the least I can do.
Barbara, you're absolutely right. It takes so little from each of us to make miracles happen.
A great reminder that we should be thankful for what we have and help those who "have not." Thanks, Laura!
Great post, Laura. I think the US should stop giving foreign countries billions of taxpayer dollars and focus on the hunger in this country.
It's hard to believe that American children go to bed at night with stomach pains because they haven't had much food during the day. I think parents (or lack thereof) are to blame Mandatory parenting classes in junior high and high school might be an option.
But with the economy so bad, food pantries are short of supplies and social programs are being cut. (There's a lot of financial abuse within social programs too and that needs investigating!)
To me, it means this country has to do more. Better educating parents. Better run social programs. And if everyone gave to the charities you mentioned -- even a little bit -- I think it would go a long way.
Sorry to get political. Your post just nicked a passion of mine. Going the charity route is an exceptional idea!!!
Until we put more value on human life, the jaded opinions of helping one another will continue. We've gotten so embroiled in the "what's in it for me" metality that we don't look beyond our own doorstep. For many parents, buying the next hit of drugs is more important than seeing to the needs of children. Thank you for your fine blogpost today.
Jannine, I agree. And we should be grateful for what we do have.
Andrea, I love that you're getting political. It takes a grass-roots movement to make things change. Every voice makes a difference!
Thanks, Vonnie. You make a great point. What do we value more? Human life or the almighty dollar?
This is such an important issue, probably the MOST important, and one close to my heart. People have many needs, but clean water and enough food are at the top of the pyramid. Thank you for reminding us.
I believe everyone should get involved to help people. It makes it a better world all around when we care.
Alison, it hits so close to home, too. We have a soup kitchen close to us, and it breaks my heart to see kids standing in line in the cold waiting to be fed.
Jerri, thank you for caring!
Post a Comment