In the midst of my typical morning routine, it hit. Slammed, actually.
That urgent growl rising deeply, rumbling and stabbing my
stomach. That normal, albeit painful, signal letting me know I was empty and it’s
time to eat. But upon deeper reflection, I realized I can’t call it hunger. Momentary
discomfort, even a little listlessness, sure. But not true hunger.
Hunger is a near-insatiable sensation wracking your entire
body, beginning with your brain flashing messages of despair, crying on behalf
of your weakened state, due to missing energy-inducing nutrients. It’s a
yearning for the luscious delights of food, dreams held but rarely realized.
Hunger is an all-too familiar feeling around the world and eight
American aid agencies are drilling down on this fact, focusing attention on a
famine set to engulf some 20 million people in Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen and
Somalia.
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| Courtesy: Global Emergency Response |
The Global
Emergency Response initiative is admirable in its scope and purpose. Rather
than wrangle for the spotlight or individual dollar donations, these known NGOs
– CARE, World Vision, Save the Children, Oxfam America, Mercy Corps, Plan International, International Medical Corps and
Rescue – are banding together to direct resources to this cause.
In rallying Americans, and the world, they hope to effort to
avert a horrible humanitarian crisis. And death by starvation among enough
people to populate Canada is a looming
crisis. And an avoidable one.
This African-centered effort pinpoints one type of hunger in
the world. But others just as horrific continue to unfold around us daily, as
millions are displaced due to ongoing conflicts, both man made and natural. The devastation
in Syria and the Middle East and the ongoing attempts to restore normalcy inHaiti are but two blaring examples. There, you have a hunger for food as well
as a hunger for home, for safety and love.
Stories of those struggling to survive – from treacherous seas to suspicious
new neighbors in foreign lands – can break your heart, if you take the time
to listen, to watch. Likely, that’s why many prefer the bliss of ignorance.
Sometimes, the mind can only take but so much pain. Escapism is easier.
My escapes often are in the
kitchen, as I relish the joys of food, both cooking and eating. The colors,
textures, flavors and aromas long drew me toward pots, pans and plates, and
continue to entice me there when life gets stressful, evident by my Instagram feed.
Being without those comforts, both physical and emotional,
is nearly unfathomable for a foodie like
myself. Yet, that’s the reality for many, including millions
of children. And the honest among us recognize that some of those kids and families are just a few
doors down.
Yes, the majority of Americans are “food secure,” meaning we
have enough to supply basic meals. Still, hunger among our neighbors is one of
our most oft-ignored facts. Some
1 in 8 Pennsylvanians don’t have enough food to eat, according to Feeding
America’s latest tallies. In Philly, that number is closer
to 1 in 5.
Nationwide, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture reports there are 15.8
million “food insecure” households.
Despite this down news, the up note is those numbers have
been dropping, largely due to new
policies and increasing philanthropy. Due to people like you.
It’s the sort of infectious spirit we can
stand to increase.
There’s a food bank waiting for your drop off. A web site
deserving of your clicked donation. A lawmaker’s office needing to hear your voice. Together, we can defeat hunger, in our neighborhoods and in
the world.
So let’s do this.
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