So, let's stick with hunger topic for a bit

As many of you know, I was contacted by HEB regarding my experiences.  I look forward to a phone meeting with one of the heads on Monday.  It was a crazy day yesterday (all in a good way).  


This month is the month that our church focuses on Souper Bowl of Caring.  I have had the privilege of bringing the Souper Bowl of Caring Ministry and concept to two congregations now.  If you don't know about Souper Bowl of Caring, please take a look at www.souperbowl.org.  Each year I have tried and add something to this event and really look forward to it every year.  


We, at church do a big food drive for our local food pantry and on the weekend of Souper Bowl / Super Bowl, we participate in the 30 Hour Famine sponsored by World Vision.  www.30hourfamine.org


It is interesting, and somewhat scary to me each year to put together the weekend full of service experiences and hunger facts and all that goes in to planning a weekend for teenagers.  


Last year, when preparing for the Famine, I came across a staggering figure on www.stophungernow.org:


The world produces enough food to feed everyone. Total food production in calories per person per day has increased by 25 percent since 1961 and is more than sufficient to feed every person on earth 2800 calories per day. The principal problem is that many people in the world do not have sufficient land to grow, or income to purchase, enough food.
Source: FAOSTAT Agriculture Data: Food Supply, Crops, Primary Equivalent. February, 2004.
http://faostat.fao.org/faostat/collections?subset=agriculture


Let's think about this for a minute.  The average person usually eats 1200 - 1500 calories a day.  So, if we look at the above figure that food is produced daily to feed every person on earth 2800 calories per day.  WOW!!!!


So, what happens to all that food?  Well, you all know I went to the grocery store yesterday.  When I got home, before I put food away -- I cleaned out the fridge.  Yes, I too, am part of the problem (as I am sure everyone else is as well).  I threw away out of date yogurt, mushy tomatoes, and mushrooms that had gotten all shrivel-y.  I remember several years ago (we don't do this anymore), throwing away boxes of cereal from our pantry because we had forgotten about them and they were stale, we didn't eat them fast enough, or we decided we didn't like them.  It is wasteful.  After serving several times at the soup kitchen over the last 5 years and seeing what they have to prepare food, I disgust myself in my wastefulness.  


I know I am not the only one in the world that does this.  I can say, that for myself, over the past 5 years, I have been much more conscientious about what I buy and how much I buy so that I am not as wasteful.  We all do it.  Obviously, the food is going somewhere, if there is enough food to feed everyone double what they need a day... right?  


My prayer is that everyone is more cognizant of their wastefulness.  My prayer is that we become more aware of how we can help; that we are more than ever aware that even something small can make a difference.  I have become so aware, especially with yesterday, that one little statement can make a huge difference.  That is amazing.  


Yea God.