Recently, the news has been filled with stories about the staggering number of people, both in the US and around the world, suffering from or dying of hunger. CNN reported this week that 17,000 children die EVERY DAY from hunger. That’s 6 million every year! Here in the US, 49 million people , 17 million of them children, were unable to get enough food on a regular basis last year, according to the USDA. That’s almost a 4% increase over the year before. One of the biggest factors? The current economic crisis.
With so many people unable to attain such a basic necessity as food, Alyssa and I wanted to dedicate a post to feeding the hungry. There are a number of charities that need our support so that they can go out and help the most desperate and needy. We’ve done some research for you with the help of CharityNavigator.org, a website that rates charities around the world. We hope as part of your holiday spending, you find a way to give little extra to help fight this tragic epidemic.
International Charities:
- Feed My Starving Children – Founded in 1987, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a Christian organization committed to feeding God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults alike hand-pack meals designed specially for starving children, and FMSC ships the meals to more than 50 countries around the world.
See Rating / Visit Website - Action Against Hunger - USA - Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the ACF International Network, an agency established specifically to combat global hunger. The mission of Action Against Hunger is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection, and treatment of malnutrition, especially during and after emergency situations of conflict, war and natural disaster.
See Rating / Visit Website - Friends of the World Food Program - Established in 1995, Friends of the World Food Program is a U.S.-based organization that is dedicated to building support for the World Food Program (WFP) and other hunger relief efforts. WFP is the largest international food aid organization in the world and the United Nations’ frontline agency in the fight against hunger.
See Rating / Visit Website - Stop Hunger Now - Established in 1998, Stop Hunger Now is a non-governmental relief organization that coordinates food and medical aid projects across the globe. Our mission is to provide the maximum amount of food and life saving aid to the maximum number the most poor and hungry throughout the world in the most rapid, efficient and effective manner.
See Rating / Visit Website
In the US:
- Feeding America’s Hungry Children - Feeding America’s Hungry Children’s (FAHC) network of more than 17 regional food banks and food-rescue organizations serves 16 states by distributing food and grocery products to approximately 100 local charitable hunger relief agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, Community Kitchens, and other organizations that provide emergency food assistance.
See Rating / Visit Website - Feeding America - Feeding America, formerly America’s Second Harvest, is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Our mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.
See Rating / Visit Website - One of the best ways to fight hunger domestically is through local charities in your community. Visit CharityNavigator.org and search your city for the highest rated charities for fighting hunger.
2009 has been a hard year, but it has been particularly hard for those in need. This holiday when thinking about gifts for family and friends, consider making a donation in lieu of buying presents. And remember, try to involve the kids. It’s a great opportunity to teach them compassion as well as show them how they can make a difference.
Okay, I’m done preaching……Well? Have you made your donation yet? What are you waiting for?
