Helping the Hungry

"The best sauce in the world is hunger. That is why the poor always enjoy eating." ~ Cervantes

As I read Don Quixote I am continually amazed by how many ideas and witticisms have become part of the public vernacular by this 400-year old-yarn. For example, at the beginning of Book Two in this classic, they are debating the merits of the second book being written about Don Quixote, "for you know, the sequel is never as good as the original." It cracked me up. This is a statement we have been making about movies for years. But who among you, reading this, would have believed that this is a statement people have been making for centuries?

The quote I referenced about hunger is similar. Usually we make the first half of the above statement. The latter has a grimmer aspect. In point of fact, being poor and hungry is not fun at all.

Having lived in Mexico for a year when much younger, I came to believe that all Americans would benefit by having exposure to the third world for a period of time while young. In this manner, we would more fully appreciate the wealth and opportunities we have in this country.

As for doing something about world hunger, I don't think people should be guilted into giving. On the other hand, I do believe empathy is a normal part of being human, Therefore, it is incumbent upon each of us to in some manner attempt to make a difference to help those in need if able.

The problem is, we're a bit jaded as well, because most of us have read stories about unscrupulous people who manipulate this good will in other peoples' hearts in order to extract cash from their wallets. We live in an era of mailing lists where people who give to one organization end up getting requests from other organizations. Even when organizations mean well at the start, there can be mismanagement resulting in squandered resources instead of the dollars being directed where they will do the most good.

For this reason, I've tried to help direct people to an organization that I trust because I knew the founders personally. They helped Susie and I when we were working at an orphanage in Mexico (1980-81). You can follow their work at Hungry Kids International. 


 
Because of the immensity of need in our world, some people's whole lives are devoted to making a difference. They are the unsung heroes of our time. You can make a difference, too.