Feb

17

Ethics in Action – Can we REALLY end hunger by 2015?

Filed Under Ethics In Action 

By JC Dwyer, Policy Director, Texas Food Bank Network

In your local communities, you may come across this question often. The short answer is Yes, we can! All you need to do is build the will.

Here are six shorthand arguments you may find useful in talking about our 2015 goal:

  1. We have the tools… We produce enough food in America to feed everyone – the problem is getting food to the right people, at the right time, and at the right price. This is a logistical problem, not a resource issue, and so is solvable.
  2. A measureable problem is a solvable problem… For the first time, the Texas Hunger Initiative is creating an index of how many meals will be needed statewide to achieve food security. Once we have that number, we will have a concrete goal that will be within our reach –an equation that has a solution!
  3. The stars are aligned… For the first time in recent memory, hunger has become a priority among our elected and appointed leaders. The Texas Hunger Initiative has the support of USDA, the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and other influential partners statewide. They all want to solve this problem!
  4. An ounce of prevention… Hunger costs local communities millions each year in lost worker productivity, student achievement and health care costs. Solving hunger will be much cheaper in the long run than letting it continue. We can also add more than a billion dollars worth of economic development for local communities by signing up eligible participants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
  5. Eating the Elephant… Ending hunger is like eating an elephant – one piece at a time! While your local efforts may seem small compared with the overall problem, there are people like you across Texas taking small bites every day, and together we have the power to end hunger for good.
  6. Hunger is Unacceptable… Most Texans, regardless of politics or party, agree that in a state as great as Texas, and in a nation as great as America, hunger is unacceptable. Just like social problems of the past, we can end hunger if you can help us turn this sentiment into action!

Get involved by emailing the Texas Hunger Initiative at texashungerinitiative@baylor.edu or calling 254-710-3704.  You can also go to www.texashunger.org for more info.

How YOUR Church Can Help
Our colleagues at Texas Impact have created a wonderful toolkit for folks interested in helping with the summer feeding program. “Feeding Texas Kids with the Summer Food Service Program” gives you step-by-step information on the many different ways you can get involved with SFSP as a faith community.  Get an order form.

We value your input and suggestions.
Your comments and recommended resources are welcome in the comments box below.

Comments

Leave a Reply