We were talking about the burgeoning childhood hunger crisis following in the wake of the COVID virus, and several friends have asked: “How can I help?” When this all started back in March, I wrote about ways that families can begin to understand hunger around us, but the crisis of hunger has only increased since then.
Just do a search for “hunger and Covid” and see what you find:
The (Oxfam) report found that 121 million more people could be “pushed to the brink of starvation this year” as a result of disruption to food production and supplies, diminishing aid as well as mass unemployment. The report estimates that COVID-19 related hunger could cause 12,000 deaths per day: the peak global mortality rate for COVID-19 in April was 10,000 deaths per day.
Time Magazine, July 9, 2020
The location doesn’t seem to matter, as evidenced by this video from Africa–already on the brink, news from Latin America, and from Asian countries like Nepal. Although residents of the US are not on the brink of starvation, food insecurity in the States especially for children and the impoverished elderly,continues to also be an issue.
Its staggering, to say the least.
So, you ask, how can you help? In short, pray, explore, and give.
- Pray. Pray for people impacted by poverty, for ready food supplies, for calm, wise, and measured relief efforts.
- Explore and Volunteer. What can you do specifically in your community? Is your church doing something? Jump in. If you are close to one of CHF’s Distribution Centers, sign up and volunteer. Bring your kids, no matter how small, and see how your labors can help deliver hope to struggling families. Mask up and let’s go!
- Give. Give to an organization that helps alleviate hunger on the ground, like Children’s Hunger Fund–head over to Children’s Hunger Fund to check out our COIVD-19 giving opportunities. Gifts in recent days have not only supplied food for thousands of families, but also provided relief for worn out pastors who are stretched thin as well. You can also message me if you are looking for other ways and places to give.
Do you have other ideas on how to give a hand to the least of these? Please feel free to share in the comments below!
Lisa LaGeorge 
Lisa, thanks for this timely topic! Since April, I’ve been volunteering at the SF-Marin Food Bank and with the City of Hayward/Alameda County Food Bank. We fill giant bags filled with delicious produce and meat, and do no-contact distribution to families each week. Yesterday, 523 families did not have to worry about groceries. It’s a blast to see the smiles on the faces of parents, kids and the elderly as we pack their trunks.
If anyone is looking for places to help, your local city or county home page is a good starting point to discover the resources available for food banks and pantries. Also, do you live or work at a school in a low SES area? Take a pastor and schedule a meeting with the principal. Are there opportunities to food drives for local families (some who may be homeless as well)?
Whatever you decide, go for it!
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