Hunger

Most of us are aware that there are many hungry people in the world. They range from those who don't quite get enough good nutrition to be healthy (including kids who can't concentrate in school), to those who are so profoundly deprived of specific nutrients or sufficient calories that they will die without intervention. Poverty -- combined with conditions like floods, droughts, and warfare -- can make it impossible for families, even whole communities to get enough food, and sometimes water. Here are a few useful statistics that illustrate just how severe the problem is:

FACT:

More than 800 million people suffer from acute hunger or malnutrition.

FACT:

Almost 200 million children below the age of five suffer from malnutrition.

FACT:

Seven out of ten of the world's hungry are women and girls.

FACT:

We can do something about it.

[Statistics courtesy of The Hunger Site.]

Children are often the hardest hit when famine comes -- simply because their small bodies can store fewer reserves of fat, water, and nutrients. In short, when the hard times come, they are the ones most likely to die. Almost all of us feel sad when we hear about people going hungry -- especially children. And of course we want to do something to help, but we are not always sure how. Also, sometimes we just feel that we don't have enough money to contribute to really make a difference.

It's important to know that money isn't the only thing we have to offer. We can also donate our time. Take a little time each week to learn more about the problem and what others are doing to help. Or ask your parents or a teacher to help you locate a group in your community where you could volunteer your time and Give Service, either alone, or with your Earth's Kids KIDS CLUB chapter. Even a couple hours of your time a couple times a year can make a big difference to a local organization working on the problems of hunger and poverty. If you can help more often, great! Your service will really make a difference.

But whether you help out by packing "care packages" for the needy with mom and dad, or by collecting canned food from neighbors to deliver to a local food bank, remember that another big way to make a difference is by talking to people about what you do. Be sure to point out how much fun you have doing it, how simple it is, and how good you feel afterwards for having helped out.

Finally, if you're feeling overwhelmed about how big the problem seems remember that the best thing to do is pick something, just one thing, that you can really do. It is always better to do one small thing to help with the solution, than to ignore the problem all together. After all, if everyone does something, we will have an impact. If no one does anything... then nothing will change. Listed below are some groups that are trying to make a real difference in the world. Check out their websites and find out what they are doing to help and what they would like from you. Then see which one thing you can do to help!

The Burrito Project is an organization to help feed the hungry and homeless by direct volunteer effort: making burritos and distributing them personally to those in need. If you are frustrated by the hunger problem in your local community and wish there was a more personal way to address the issue, visit their website and ask about setting up a Burrito Project chapter of your own.

If you are still a school kid, talk to your parents and teachers and see if there is a safe and appropriate way for you to adapt this project for yourself and your friends from church, your scouting troop, or school.

Visit this very informative site to learn more about the problem of hunger in the world and what you can do to support CARE feed those in need. Started directly after World War II, to help those affected by the war, CARE seeks to create "a world of tolerance and social justice, where people have overcome poverty and live in dignity and security." Helping people have the food, housing, safety, education, and health care they need is what CARE is all about.

Take the hunger quiz. Read what other kids have to say about this issue. Learn how kids can write letters, teach others, even speak before congress -- all to help end hunger and poverty.

Garden Harvest helps fight against hunger & poverty by providing food-producing animals to the rural poor in such places as Appalachia and India. To help Garden Harvest in its work you can buy a farm animal for a needy family (you select the animal on the GH website and pay GH the money and they take care of getting it to the family), "adopt" a farm animal (you will pay for it's feed, shots, etc. and it will provide milk or eggs for those in need), donate land to Garden Harvest (so they can grow food for those in need), or volunteer. Garden Harvest also appreciates the donation of farm equipment (such as tractors), all kinds of tools, as well as raw materials, like lumber. Visit their website or drop them some mail for more information.

Activism meets information at this useful site. Donate food to the hungry just by clicking their button -- there is no cost to you, their sponsors will pay the bill. You can click the button once each day to help them donate food.

Poverty is one of the primary causes of chronic hunger in the world (along with drought and other natural disasters and of course war). NetAid offers programs, activities and resources to engage young people in learning and action to help end poverty around the world.

This program, benefiting children in the U.S. and 41 other countries, allows you to aid needy children through donations, sponsorship, mentoring, and through online shopping at sites which donate a portion of the proceeds to Save The Children. Save The Children will help your sponsored child get enough to eat each day plus provide the child with clothes and much more, depending on the needs of the child and the amount of money you send.

The United Nations Children's Fund, helping bring food, medicine, and more to children in need in 128 countries around the world.

Teachers and Earth's Kids KIDS CLUB chapter leaders will find these videos helpful in answering children's questions about the global food crisis. What is the basis, and solutions, to the ongoing food shortage issues? How does climate change complicate the picture? What can we do to make a difference locally and internationally?