Students should participate in local, world opportunities to end hungerFeb. 20, 2001
This week is Hunger Awareness Week at Baylor, and no student should be unaware of the hunger and homelessness around campus and throughout Waco. We should view this week as an opportunity to help out those around us that are not as fortunate.
Take a moment to drop off some nonperishable food items at a local food bank or homeless shelter or volunteer your time at one of these places this week. And the next time you go to the grocery store, try to be more frugal in what you buy, remembering those that are living on the streets without food or shelter.
One out of every seven people in the world suffers from hunger, according to the United Nation's World Food Programme. This organization and several other international groups are doing their part to help people who do not have access to food. While these groups do what they can to help starving people around the globe, hunger is certainly not limited to people in distant developing countries. A 1999 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Economic Division report shows that nearly 5 percent of the population of Texas, or 967,711 people, go hungry every year. So, there are plenty of opportunities for Baylor students to get involved and help out the less fortunate in Waco and across the state. The Baptist Student Ministries sets a good example of this with its HOPE hunger ministry. The ministry's purpose it to partner with local social organizations to educate them about how students can help the hunger needs of Waco. Campus groups should take advantage of the hunger ministry and do all they can to raise hunger awareness and help decrease hunger in Waco.
Whether involved in a social organization or not, every student should donate at least one nonperishable food item this week. As part of Hunger Awareness Week, a donation station will be in the Bill Daniel Student Center today and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for people to drop off nonperishable food products for Mission Waco's use.
We commend all the local organizations and individuals that help the starving in Waco. Hunger is a problem that is all around us. But with a little compassion, we can help the people who suffer from hunger.