It's almost Thanksgiving... time to think about hunger.

[redqueen]

Since most of us will be giving thanks for all we have in a couple of days, it's a good time to keep in mind all those people who go without...

Please, if you can, consider donating to a food bank or to an organization that fights hunger.

Find a local food bank here: http://www.secondharvest.org/zip_code.jsp

World Food Programme: http://www.wfp.org/how_to_help/support_wfp/index.asp?section=4&sub_section=1


If you'd care to provide a link to another organization please do so. I'm sure they all need as much help as they can get, especially this time of year.

[ulysses]

1. thanks, rq.

:hi:

[Redstone]

2. Thought about it. Done several somethings about it. But it's good that you posted

a reminder anyway.

Redstone

[The Straight Story]

3. Thanks and Kicking it up a notch (nt)

[Der Blaue Engel]

4. One of my favorites:

Heifer International

I'm thinking of giving a llama on behalf of my family members.

(Anybody got a link to "llama, llama, llama, llama, llama, llama, duck"?) :D

edited "missing link"

[no_hypocrisy]

5. In memory of the late Harry Chapin and his perennial project,

World Hunger Year, started in 1975.
http://www.worldhungeryear.org/about_why/default.asp

[MazeRat7]

6. Thanks for the reminder....

While I have been a part of the group at my job collecting food for the local food bank...

More importantly, I forget to send my mother flowers for her Thanksgiving/Birthday (same day for both this year and I cant be there :( )

Had you not posted... I would have been in soooooooooo much trouble. (not to mention feeling like an ass)

Thank-you for the reminder....

MZr7

[redqueen]

9. Glad it helped!

:hi:


and a :kick: for the a.m. :7

[AnnInLa]

7. In our community, the postal carriers

will pick up food from your house when they deliver the mail...you don't even need to drive anywhere!

Do all communities do this, or are we "special?"

[redqueen]

10. They don't do it here...

sounds like a great idea, though.

[Xenotime]

8. Get this. The correct term is not hunger it's "Low Food Security"

The federal government has decided to drop the word "hunger" from its vocabulary, according to a new report released by the USDA. The reason? USDA sociologist Mark Nord, the author of the report, claims that the term "hungry" is "not a scientifically accurate term for the specific phenomenon being measured in the food security survey. We don't have a measure of that condition."

The USDA will now use the term "very low food security" to describe people who used to be considered "food insecure with hunger." Statistically speaking, hunger will no longer exist in America.

Continued...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/11/20/EDG22MFCBV1.DTL

[redqueen]

12. Yeah. Pathetic, isn't it? n/t

[The2ndWheel]

11. Or, rather, why hunger continues to exist

in what we call civilization. It's not because we're not civilized.

[redqueen]

13. Well put. n/t

[AngryOldDem]

14. Anytime of the year is a good time to think about hunger...

...especially during the summer months when the shelves at most pantries are just about bare. Don't get me wrong, thanks for the support. But there are hungry and homeless people who need help not just from the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's.

I know you all know this. Just a reminder.

[redqueen]

18. Very good point. Thanks. n/t

[LWolf]

15. Here's one I like.

I gave just yesterday.

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/k.9430/Gift_Catalog.htm?msource=kw866&gclid=CMLJg93Y24gCFQYgYQod8kl1kw

[Robbien]

16. My hope is that every soup kitchen has enough food for everyone in line

during this holiday season (and all year long).

Thanks for the thread redqueen.

Peace.

[bobbolink]

17. Also time to think of those of us without even a home to eat that meal in...

This "hits me where I live", so to speak, and I hope DU will turn out in force on this one, and take action.

You can take it from me, being homeless at the holidays isn't cheerful.

Thanks! :hi:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2785362&mesg_id=2785362

[redqueen]

21. Thanks for posting that link!

:hi:

[bobbolink]

25. thanks for kicking that thread!

It's important, but not doing very welll.... :cry:

[Earth_First]

19. Hunger? Check your memos: It's been updated as "very low food security."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2778571&mesg_id=2778571

Please update accordingly. :sarcasm:

[bobbolink]

20. Yes, we know.

Now, how about taking hunger seriously.

[hfojvt]

22. great thread

not sure where my food bank is, but I support the Salvation Army, mostly by ringing that annoying bell and playing my trumpet, trying to get a few more pennies in the kettle.

[jgraz]

23. Whole Foods has a great program right now

They have a food pack for $6.99 that includes their 365 tuna, mac-n-cheese and other non-perishables. Just point to it at the checkout line and they add it to your bill.

Hint: you can buy more than one :)

[T Town Jake]

24. Thank you for this thread; folks ought to think about volunteering, too...

...if not this year (it's late, I know), next year.

Tomorrow 13 Churches in my area (including mine) are pulling together to feed any and all who find themselves in need, or just don't have anyone to share a Thanksgiving dinner with. It's going to be a massive project, hundreds of volunteers - including yours truly, who will be working the 11 am - 3 pm shift.

All over the country there are similar volunteer opportunities at Thanksgiving; I'd encourage everyone who can to look into them.