PSA: World Food Day

Today is World Food Day, celebrated each year on the establishment anniversary of the UN's Food & Agriculture Organization.

It's estimated that over 1 billion men, women and children are hungry & malnourished around the world, and as many as 1 in 8 Americans (especially in this economic climate).

Today, I'm going to help end world hunger by donating a few of those cans I haven't gotten around to using. They'll be much better served feeding someone rather than gathering dust in my pantry.

Take the time today to be thankful for all that you have, and to help someone in need.

To find out more about hunger in the US, click here.

Also, check out my previous post on hunger.

A Little Musing about Hunger

Yesterday I observed Yom Kippur, a Jewish fast day during which many have the tradition to refrain from eating and drinking for about 25 hours.

Because it seemed appropriate, I started What is the What by David Eggers, which tells the story of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan. What particularly stood out to me, being that I was fasting, were the graphic and chilling descriptions of hunger.

I have never felt the gnawing pain of an empty belly, struggled to remember my last meal, nor watched someone beaten to death over a few meager bites. I realized: I have been hungry, but I have never known hunger.

For millions of people, in the US and around the world, hunger is a stark reality of everyday life. Yesterday, I was hungry by choice. Today, I'm not hungry by choice. It's important to take the time to count our blessings.

Here are some great organizations working to end hunger, both domestically and internationally:

• Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger
• FreeRice (help fight hunger and learn something!)
• So Others Might Eat (great DC organization)