Bloggers Unite for Hunger and Hope
April 29, 2009 by Lillie
Chances are if you have the resources to be online, you can’t imagine being hungry. Yet, according to Bloggers Unite for Hunger and Hope:
More than 15 million children die of hunger every year. World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the population is underfed and another third is starving.
The numbers are so staggering, we may find the problem so overwhelming that we don’t even bother trying to help. After all, what can one person do?
One person can’t feed all the hungry, but one person can feed some of the hungry. One person can’t solve the problem, but one person can contribute to the solution.
Edward Everett Hale said:
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
What can I do—what can you do—for world hunger?
Contribute to organizations that help those in need. Even a small donation can make a big difference. Right now, Food for the Poor is raising money to deliver food and supplies that have already been donated for Haiti Emergency Relief. Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, was devastated by storms last year.
Every dollar you give today for shipping will be transformed into $25.34 worth of aid. Every gift will be multiplied twenty-five fold! But you must act quickly.
How tragic that $29 million of food and aid is waiting for money to deliver it while people are dying of starvation! Here is one place you can save lives with the donation of a few dollars.
Heifer International is another excellent organization serving the poor. A donation of only $20 will provide a flock of chicks, ducks, or geese for a family, giving them food and resources to become self-sustaining. Each family “passes on the gift” by giving at least of the offspring of its animals to another family in need.
How wonderful to provide both food and a livelihood for a family with a gift of a few dollars.
Maybe you have been affected by the economy, perhaps even lost your job. You don’t have even a few dollars to donate. But you do have time and talent. Local food banks and other charitable organizations always need more hands and minds and hearts. If you are a person of faith, you can give the gift of prayer.
Whether we contribute a little or a lot, we can each do something to end hunger and bring hope to the hopeless.
Note Added 5/18/09: Comment left by Blog Catalog Blogger Jason: “Your post was chosen as one of the ten best and a link to your post has been included on the BlogCatalog blog as well as the Copywrite, Ink. blog.”
Yes, we can all do something. And one way is to spread the news just like what you have done with this post. Is Blog Catalog behind this again? I really love the way that community bring awareness to a lot of people. I have once taken part in their Bloggers Unite drive back when I was still active in blogging. I think that was for Human Rights. And I would really love to do that again. Thanks for reminding me what I can do to help other people.
Terry,
Bloggers Unite started at Blog Catalog. Now it has a site of its own with a variety of different events scheduled. You can start an event or sign up for one on the Bloggers Unite site.
My, how time flies. I wasn’t aware that it has a site of its own. Thanks for the info. I’m sure you’re always doing this. Hats off to you for doing this.
@ Hilary,
I forgot, there’s Twitter too. Thanks for reminding me.
Thanks, Terry. There are many good causes to write about—I could be writing about things like this all the time.I try to choose the causes I feel strongest about and balance those topics with my writing and other posts.
@Terry Exactly. I will tweet this seeing as I do not have a blog right now.
Hilary,
Thanks for the tweet. I’m not on Twitter—we can all work together with the tools we have.
we can all contribute in our own ways..big or little. We don’t even need to check out other countries because even first world countries have people who die of hunger and poverty. All we need to do is reach out and do what we can do. There is hope. You have nice post here.
Marites´s last blog post..Twilight Saga: The Wolf Pack of New Moon
Marites,
I recommend people read your post as you describe firsthand exposure to starving children, something most of us have never seen. It makes the need much more real to us.
Articles like this is very helpful in informing a lot of people about the current health issues. Sharing this information to us is already a big help in fighting hunger and poverty. I hope that I can also help fight hunger in my own little ways.
seo (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
If we all do a little, we can make a big impact.
Good cause – and shame on me for missing out on the conversation. Thanks for reminder, I’ll keep this comment short but will spread the word!
Alex´s last blog post..3 Mistakes That Kill You Blogging To Make Money Efforts
Alex,
Even if you missed blogging about it, you’re joining the conversation. Thanks.
If we all try to contribute, a miracle might happen. Who knows. Nice read
Nussaibah´s last blog post..Unite For Hunger And Hope
Nussaibah,
I believe in miracles, and I know we can help.
I believe in miracles, and I know we can help.
I LIKE your SPIRIT and MOTIVATION!
Thank you, Sympathy.
Anything for a good cause is worth supporting.
San Diego (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
This is definitely a good cause. Sometimes, though, we have to choose which good causes to support because of time and financial constraints.
Lillie, I’ve shown my concern about this campaign, by donated a certain amount of money to the unfortunate people. Hope they will be benefit from it!
wilson,
Thank you for doing your part.
A just cause. When you see the cold hard facts like those from the WHO it really hits you.
Paul,
Those statistics do make an impression … but seeing the pictures of starving children is even more powerful.
Everything has to start somewhere and every small drop of water will in they end make a great ocean. Hunger in the third world is one of the most neglected
challenges in the world today. We all have to do our part. One of the first steps could be to write about it. Thanks for making people aware!
Gus,
The small drops of water making up the great ocean is a good analogy. If we each add a drop (or several drops) of water, the ocean will fill.
Thanks for the reminder, Lillie. All of us, me especially, get caught up in our own lives and need to be reminded of those in more need than we are. It’s an eye-opener to see how so little can go so far.
Helen Ginger´s last blog post..Author Sylvia Dickey Smith
Helen,
You’re right—we all get so busy, it’s easy to lose awareness of the dire straits people are in around the world. And when we do think about it, it can seem so overwhelming that we don’t know what to do. It is surprising that even a few dollars (or a few hours of volunteer work) can have so much impact.
Thanks for making this post. It’s reassuring to see many people touched also. I hope everyone makes a donation. x
Sunlight (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
I hope everyone does something—whether it’s donate to a charity that feeds hungry people, volunteer at their local food pantry, or share a meal with a needy family.
Lillie,
I must say that you are not one of the crowd but leading the Crowd. Ur humble efforts are highly appreciated and give us the inspiration to do something for the less privileged. thanks for showing us the way
God Bless YOU!
– Vani
Vani,
Thank you for your kind words.
It’s a great thing that you made time to inform us your readers about the growing problem of poverty in 3rd world countries not just on this side of the world where I live (Philippines). We should all unite in order to provide a means to stop poverty and alleviate their way of life.
Roger,
We need to be reminded—some people to learn—about the terrible plight of many needy people. I think most of us want to do our part, but we tend to get busy and not see the need or we are so overwhelmed we think we can’t do anything to make a difference.
i have participated in this call few times in the past and will do it again, every blogger should have their own contribution to the world.
Leo,
I’m not sure if you’re saying you’ve participated in other Bloggers United events or if you’ve participated in helping to alleviate hunger. In either case, thank you.
Just now where I am , I can see hungry people around me, the main problem is employment. If we can create employment or if we can give income producing something(e.g. small business) to a family, it means several people will be hunger free.
Can we not do this for everyone?
Jonathan,
Teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish. So true. In some cases, especially in countries devastated by famine, war, and disaster, people need immediate handouts to survive. But that is only a temporary fix. We need to give them a way to become self-sustaining, as you say.
This is an epidemic that should never even occur. With all the technology we have, the fact that people in the world don’t have enough food to eat is unacceptable. This cause is another excellent move in the right direction toward ending world hunger. Proud to be a part of it.
Christian´s last blog post..Bowling Games
Christian,
So much of the world’s hunger comes about because of corrupt governments and various groups fighting for power as well as drought, famine, and disasters. We need to help meet immediate needs, but long-term the problem will be solved only getting to the root cause.
I wish there was more that could be done about world hunger that would actually help. There are so many corrupt political systems and corporations that profit from keeping people downtrodden.
French Citizenship´s last blog post..Traveling to Lyon
French (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
Corruption is a huge part of the problem. It’s so tragic to see countries devastated by natural disasters and wars that won’t allow relief to get to the people who need it.
Even if you can’t donate money, there shouldn’t be much of a problem with donating food. To be honest, putting my money in the hands of these folks makes me question where it’s going
TKA,
You should always check out any charity before donating as there are scams out there. But Food for the Poor and Heifer International are two the most best organizations there are. I have no hesitation about giving them money.
I salute you for doing your part. I, too, am very much willing to participate in this kind of program because for me helping others is a way of showing my gratitude to Him for all his blessings. Let’s get united to fight hunger and poverty!
Thanks for pointing out that helping others is a way of glorifying God.
What a wonderful and cost effective way to make a difference in someone’s life.
I’ve always liked those programs which provide an animal which can provide milk, clothing or meat as needed. That way, the recipient can rely on what he takes care of, an important step in helping to break the cycle of poverty.
Matt Keegan´s last blog post..Hey, It Is May!
Matt,
I agree. Giving someone an animal that provide resources for their daily lives as well as potential income has far more impact than giving them food for a day.
” Poverty” ! It’s always a problem in a society. There are a lot of issues regarding hunger that has resulted into lost of so many lives. And we can never blamed anyone for that. It’s in the matter of how we handle our lives in order to survive in today’s world. The only thing that we people who has access in this issue is to help inform those less fortunate people on how to make a living even in their own little way and provided in a good way too.!
Erin here!
makeover games´s last blog post..Spring Makeover
makeover (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
Sometimes people need emergency help in the way of food. Only when they are strong enough to survive can they begin to learn to be self-sustaining.
That’s why I like the two charities I highlighted here: Food for the Poor gives immediate aid (I donated to the program to give aid to Haiti devastated by natural disasters), and Heifer International provides a way for individuals and families to care for themselves. Both are needed and important.
I would much rather give someone on the streets food than money.
I often see little kids getting “robbed” of their food and the older people take it from them. It saddens me every time I see someone hungry.
I’m glad there are people out there that try and help.
Robert,
I’m always ambivalent about giving direct help to people on the streets. I hate to see anyone in need and want to help, but it’s hard to know what’s best to do in specific situations. At one time our church printed up business cards with the address and phone number of an agency that gives immediate relief to people in need. The organization was established by a group of churches who wanted to help the needy but who found there was a group of people going from church to church asking for help over and over again, straining the resources of the churches so others in need didn’t get help. This organization gives immediate help to people who are hungry, need clothes, or having emergency cash needs, and it works with other agencies that provide shelter for the homeless. However, when people come back again and again for emergency help, the agency refers them for counseling, assistance with finding a job, or other long-term solutions.
In whatever small way I think we all have the power to change this world so that one day our world is free from the curse of poverty and hunger. If anybody can do something to help, food bloggers can! I appreciate the work that Heifer Int. is doing as it takes the approach where “teaching to fish” as opposed to simply “giving fish”. Keep up the great postings, I enjoy visiting your blog.
engagement rings (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
I am confident that we can each do something to change the world.
However, I don’t think we will ever eliminate poverty, hunger, and other ills because as long as we are on this earth, humans are imperfect. Jesus told us “the poor you will always have with you.” He also told us to feed the poor, but His words remind us that perfection won’t come in our mortal lifetimes.
It is good that as a concerned citizens for our fellow people, you have started a way that could make a difference into someone’s lives. As we all know, poverty is something that we could never treats and make disappear forever, but what we can do is that we can lessen it’s existence. And I have once witnessed how people lived in poverty from a documentary news, and I can say that their lives were really terrified and upon looking at their situation, I really felt pity on them, for what they have been through.
Kirsten´s last blog post..Pecan Pie
Kirsten,
When we see what people in poverty experience, such as the documentary you saw, it breaks our hearts to see how much they suffer. As you said, we can’t get rid of poverty completely, but we can certainly reduce the amount of it.
Hi. On behalf of the team at BlogCatalog and BloggersUnite, I wanted to say thank you so much for participating in the Hunger and Hope event.
Your post was chosen as one of the ten best and a link to your post has been included on the BlogCatalog blog as well as the Copywrite, Ink. blog.
Thanks again for participating!
jason´s last blog post..Bloggers Unite for Hunger and Hope: The Impact
Thank you, Jason! I’m honored that my post was recognized as one of the top posts and delighted that so many bloggers took part in this important event.
Such a very wonderful cause. I hope this becomes a regular activity of bloggers.
Cornelia,
Bloggers Unite has a number of causes lined up for bloggers to participate in. Whatever your interest, you’ll find something you want to support.
Great cause! I’m going to get involved.
Mo@Bingo No Deposit´s last blog ..Check out these Bingo Jokes!
Mo,
I’m glad to hear you’re getting involved and would love to hear what you do.
So great to see bloggers coming together
:)
Mo@Titan Bingo´s last blog ..Where should you play? Bingo Anywhere!
Mo,
Yes, it’s encouraging that these Bloggers Unite projects get good participation.
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