“One Human Family, Food for All,” is the name of Caritas International’s new global campaign against world hunger. In his video message to help launch the campaign the other day, Pope Francis said, “We are in front of a global scandal of around one billion people who still suffer from hunger today. We cannot look the other way. The food available in the world is enough to feed everyone.”
Scandal is the right word. Over 800 million people in the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Over a million children die each year because they do not get enough to eat. Every 3.6 seconds someone dies of hunger – that’s at least 10 people who have died in the time I’ve composed and typed this paragraph. This is all despite the fact that the world produces enough food to feed everyone.
We can all do something in support of this campaign. Donate to an organization that feeds the hungry. Contribute food to local food shelves.
Pope Francis’ kick-off video, however, suggests even more is required. This campaign, he said, “is also an invitation to all of us to become more conscious in our food choices, which often lead to waste and a poor use of the resources available to us. It is also a reminder to stop thinking that our daily actions do not have an impact on the lives of those who suffer from hunger first-hand.”
By all means donate – money and food. But also reflect on the food choices you make and how they either help or worsen the situation of others.
Creo en Dios! 