Background
At the current moment, global and local hunger and food security issues continue to affect millions of people. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), “Between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022” (“Hunger and food insecurity”, n.d.). The evolving global landscape, characterized by population growth, urbanization, and globalization, has driven shifts in malnutrition. On a local level, some regions are particularly affected. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are among the regions with the highest levels of food insecurity, driven by poverty and climate-related challenges.
Malnutrition hurts all systems of the body, particularly the hair, eyes, mouth, and skin. Typically, shiny hair becomes brittle and may fall out in a malnourished person. Eyes can go from bright to pale and dry, and night blindness is a current occurrence. The mouth, usually not swollen and with a complete sense of taste, can be affected by swollen gums, sores, and an inability to sense tastes appropriately. Skin becomes more prone to being injured, and wounds take longer to heal. Overall, the entire state of health of a malnourished person suffers.
FARSB
The first organization that addresses hunger is Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino (FARSB). It was established in April 1980 as Survive Food Bank and has evolved into a significant force in hunger relief (“Our story”, n.d.). Now it collaborates with 250+ local nonprofit agencies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties (“Our story”, n.d.). Students can volunteer by contacting the organization via email. Their mission statement reads: “Our mission is to alleviate hunger in the Inland Empire. We envision a community where everyone has access to an adequate and nutritious food supply” (“Our story”, n.d.). While it does not explicitly declare a faith-based affiliation, FARSB is part of Feeding America, the National Food Bank Network.
The Hunger Project
The Hunger Project is a global, non-profit organization committed to ending world hunger. Founded in 1977, the organization originated from the Erhard Seminars Training movement’s hunger project. It transitioned into a non-profit entity dedicated to sustainable solutions for hunger and poverty. The organization focuses on empowering communities in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America to achieve sustainable progress (“Ending hunger starts with people”, n.d.). College students can engage with them through volunteering opportunities presented on their website. The project’s mission is “to facilitate individual and collective action to transform the systems of inequity that create hunger and cause it to persist” (“Vision, mission & principles”, n.d.).This is a secular organization with no explicit faith-based affiliation.
No Kid Hungry
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign in the United States working to end childhood hunger. The campaign was launched in 2010 and focuses on connecting kids in need with nutritious food, supporting school breakfast programs, and advocating for policy changes to end childhood hunger (“Who we are”, n.d.). Students can participate in fundraising events announced on the website. The organization has not published an explicit mission statement. It is also not a faith-based organization, and its affiliation lies with Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit with a mission to end hunger and poverty.
Personal Involvement
My plan for involvement revolves around volunteering with No Kid Hungry. I am planning to offer my time to support local initiatives aimed at ending childhood hunger. I will participate in community outreach events, assist with fundraising efforts, and promote awareness on campus. Additionally, I will explore virtual volunteer opportunities to contribute my skills, such as social media management or event organization, to further the campaign’s impact.
Biblical Support
God’s teachings must inspire students to get involved with the organization and help those who suffer from hunger. Proverbs 19:17 states: “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed” (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Proverbs 19:17). Being involved with organizations like No Kid Hungry aligns with the Christian teachings of compassion, kindness, and aiding those in need. In the Christian worldview, humans have the responsibility to care for others, especially the vulnerable.
Reflection
Learning more about hunger in this way has helped me understand various things. Firstly, I have realized how crucial collective action is and that each person’s involvement matters, no matter how small. I have also realized how prevalent and destructive hunger is, and that this issue is more serious than it might seem at first glance. Looking ahead, I will try to preserve compassion in both my personal and professional life, as it is crucial not to lose empathy for the vulnerable even as I develop my career.
References
Ending hunger starts with people. (n.d.). The Hunger Project.
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online.
Hunger and food insecurity. (n.d.). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Our story. (n.d.). Feeding America.
Vision, mission & principles. (n.d.). The Hunger Project.
Who we are. (n.d.). No Kid Hungry.