Children, thin and bone-weary, and mothers too emaciated to feed their young line up with empty bowls before a UN Food truck – a scene in too many countries in our world today. This is the stark reality for millions of people in our world, in our global community.
Recently the headlines gave us the glad news that the United Nations World Food Program had won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. It was a spotlight on the need to eradicate hunger, a mandate the UN has faithfully done its very best to fulfill for 50 years. It has been said that Canadians can rightly share in this recognition as our country has been the seventh-largest donor to this program for 50 years.[1]
But what causes world Hunger? Is it a lack of the right technological agricultural fix because we can’t grow enough food? No. Here are some facts:
The world produces enough food to feed everyone, yet, about 800 million people suffer from hunger. That is one in nine people. 60% of them are women.[2]
Hunger kills more people every year than malaria, tuberculosis and aids combined.
Around 45% of infant deaths are related to malnutrition.
1.9 billion people – more than a quarter of the world’s population – are overweight.
One third of the food produced worldwide is lost or wasted.
War, climate change and troubled economies are the key reason for the rise of hunger in the world,[3]
So what can we possibly do, as individuals, as communities in the First World? Here are some words from an Eco-theologian Sallie McFague and Pope Francis for reflection:
First: The eco-theologian Sallie McFague tells us that,
“we cannot in good conscience ‘love the world’ -its snow-capped mountains and panda bears -while at the same time destroying it and allowing our less well-off sisters and brothers to sink into deeper poverty”[4]…hence I believe Christian discipleship for the 21st century North Americans means ‘cruciform living,’ an
alternative notion of the abundant life, which involve a notion of enoughness”[5]
She is calling us to a philosophy and practice of “enoughness” with limitations on energy and sacrifice for others. It is the call to turn back from a consumerist culture that always wants more -whether its variety for our jaded appetites of food, clothing, technology – and turn to the freedom of learning to live with less.
Second: In a recent speech to the UN, Pope Francis said,
The pandemic “can represent a concrete opportunity for conversion, for transformation, for re-thinking our way of life and our economic and social systems which are widening the gap between rich and poor countries with its unjust distribution of resources… or the pandemic can be an occasion for a defensive retreat into greater individualism and elitism.”[6]
What are some choices everyday people can make on World Food Day?
1. Listen to the above facts and pick one issue that you can pledge to do something about.
2. Eat leftovers – yes, they can be boring but be inventive or make it an act of prayer and solidarity.
3. Reduce food waste by the above or composting. Most urban centres now have a compost stream - or compost at home.
4. Have a Fast Day once a week for world hunger.
5. Eat less red meat or become vegetarian.
6. Buy local & organic if possible -transportation costs drive up the carbon footprint
7. Donate to your local food bank or support local food groups.
8. Enjoy your food and give thanks!
A Table Grace
We pray a blessing of gratitude in this season of Autumn
Our hearts are thankful for the breath of wind, the warmth of sun
The waving fields of grain, the landscape of hills turning gold
Giving light to our souls and wonder in our being
We give thanks to our Creator and all the Earth who hold us close
We give thanks for our friends- our Elders the trees, flowers of beauty and the sparkling waters, the soaring winged ones and the precious human friends who hold our heart
May our lives bring life to others and all the Earth
May our gratitude be a Thanksgiving for all.
Amen.
- Sister Linda Gregg, csj
[1] Toronto Star, World Food Program Wins Nobel Peace Prize, Oct.10,2020, A23
[2] Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute. https://khni.kerry.com/news/articles/ten-facts-you-need-to-know-about-hunger-on-world-food-day/
[3] The Star Tribune, “World hunger continues rising amid war, climate change, UN reports” July 16, 2019, https://www.startribune.com/world-hunger-continues-rising-amid-war-climate-change-u-n-reports/512801492/
[5] Sallie McFague, Life Abundant: Rethinking Theology and Economy for a Planet in Peril,(Minn.MN Augsburg Fortress, 2001), 14.
[6] Catholic Register, “Pope Charts a Post-Pandemic Course,” Oct. 4, 2020, 4.