The pictures and information about the drought in the Horn of Africa have affected me hugely, as I'm sure they have many of you. I give money to three different charities who are working there, but just writing a check seems so inadequate, doesn't it?
So, after praying and pondering how I could personally help more, I started this facebook page called "Friday Fast to Feed the Hungry". I got to thinking about how I've read many times that we have plenty of resources to feed everyone, we just lack the political will to do it. And then I asked how do we generate, or demonstrate, that will. I know *I* want to feed the hungry, particularly children, and I know many other people who do as well. Why can't we manage it? What would help create a groundswell of support for doing just that?
And I thought about how there's no need to wait for governments or organizations, we can just do things ourselves now, right? We have the internet. We have each other. We can just directly do what needs to be done instead of having to vote people in or lobby our governments to do it.
So, the upshot is, I decided to fast every Friday for 24 hours, skip two meals, and give the money saved to any organization I choose who feeds hungry people, or works to help vulnerable people increase their food security. I switch it up and pick a different organization every month, depending on who is best run, most effective, and helps in the places with the worst needs. So I also have a page on Partners in Health to go to donate my fast funds, and for anyone else to use if they happen to want to donate funds inspired by or associated with this group. It's
here, for anyone who's interested, and the facebook page is
here. I love the fasting. It's hard every single week, I'm not gonna lie. But it's worthwhile. It gives me a way to be in solidarity with those who don't have enough to eat, if only just a little, for a short while. It helps me to focus on their plight, and to realize and be grateful for how much I have, all my many blessings. It helps me to stay closer to my maker, as I pray for strength to maintain my fast, and as I'm humbled by how hungry I feel. It gives me back the great pleasure of food, since the first food eaten after a 24 hour fast tastes utterly splendid. It gives me far more blessings than the sacrifice it entails. I want to invite anyone who'd like to join us to fast for one day or one meal, or to make it regular. Or whoever can't fast but just wants to cheer us on, I'd like to invite you to join us as well. Please "like" my poor Facebook page, since it only has a few likes so far.
I have no idea how to promote this. I don't want to spam or pester anyone. Everyone should make up their own minds what ways they feel able to help the hungry, if any at all. I'm not trying to guilt anyone or nag anyone. I just want those who think they'd like to try it, or even just to encourage others, to know it's there.
So, how do I do this? How do I get a movement like this started. I feel sure if only about 10% of the people in the top 10% of income in the world would do this, we'd soon have the problem solved. And, by the way, the page doesn't accept any donations directly, just encourages people to donate to the organizations of their choice, and then from time to time highlights some of the places to which I like to donate, in case anyone wants to hear about more choices.
Does anyone have any ideas? Do you think it's simply a matter of political will? If so, how do we generate and demonstrate that will?
