Two articles of interest:
From Monday's Inquirer: Campbell corporate exec. fights hunger/obesity.
And from last month's New York Times, an article about food policy in Detroit.
Detroit is rebuilding - and it's rebuilding with food at the center... because "it's something everyone can agree on". While I think the same is true in Philadelphia, and across the country, why can't we do something about it? Without being at the crisis level of Detroit (although Philadelphia is practically there, we just haven't quite publicly acknowledged it) - how do we build a movement?
Bringing the faith community together to bring about hunger free communities.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation!
As the school year is winding down and many families are making vacation plans,
we must not forget that hunger does not take a vacation. In fact, it can be more
serious during the summer months when children do not receive school meals
and families struggle to serve healthy meals to growing children.
The Summer Meals program, sponsored by the USDA and administered in PA by
the PA Department of Education, is a valuable resource. It is not too late to become
a summer meals site. Most sections of Philadelphia qualify and some suburban towns
qualify, as well. For more information, contact Nutritional Development Services at
215-895-3470.
Future posts will provide information on how to find the site nearest to you!
Anne Healy Ayella- NDS
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
we must not forget that hunger does not take a vacation. In fact, it can be more
serious during the summer months when children do not receive school meals
and families struggle to serve healthy meals to growing children.
The Summer Meals program, sponsored by the USDA and administered in PA by
the PA Department of Education, is a valuable resource. It is not too late to become
a summer meals site. Most sections of Philadelphia qualify and some suburban towns
qualify, as well. For more information, contact Nutritional Development Services at
215-895-3470.
Future posts will provide information on how to find the site nearest to you!
Anne Healy Ayella- NDS
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Quality of Life Improvements
Bill Gates reports, and cites economists who verify, that big social problems can be tackled and that the quality of life - in even the poorest of countries- is improving. Improving more so than most of us realize. If good investments are making important improvements elsewhere, it is important for us to believe that much more can be done to reduce hunger here in Philadelphia through wisely invested efforts and monies as well.
See what Mr. Gates has to say in the article below.
Fast for PA's Vulnerable
My colleague with United Methodist Advocacy in PA recently started fasting. To learn more visit www.umadvocacypa.org or search "Fast for PA's Vulnerable" in facebook to join our discussion group - fasting not required!
So far a few things have jumped out at me, in regards to non-spiritual aspects of the fast:
1) a fasting friend of mine shared with me that at this time of year there are LOTS of end of the school year/beginning of summer picnics. Fasting during this time has given her a chance to talk about the state budget and its effects on the hungry when it likely would not have otherwise come up. Many of her friends, neighbors, etc. have promised to write to their State Senators.
2) Fasting can help us understand the link between poverty and obesity - esp when after fasting, we don't lose any weight. Another faster shared that she constantly craved carbohydrates - so when she did eat, she overate in that food group because it made her feel more full. This is why programs that double benefits when you buy fresh fruit and produce are SO important.
3) Finally... fasting can remind of us of how important food is to learning. If our brain is fuzzy during fasting... just imagine what it is like for a hungry child trying to learn. This will give us extra incentive and motivation to push every few years for continued improvements to the Child Nutrition Act - as well as to be involved at the local level with our schools to make sure that children are getting the best nutritional education possible.
Fasting is definitely a spiritual discipline, and is not entered into lightly. However, I wanted to share these 3 things for those who may wonder the practical question "Does my fasting really make a difference?" Yes!
So far a few things have jumped out at me, in regards to non-spiritual aspects of the fast:
1) a fasting friend of mine shared with me that at this time of year there are LOTS of end of the school year/beginning of summer picnics. Fasting during this time has given her a chance to talk about the state budget and its effects on the hungry when it likely would not have otherwise come up. Many of her friends, neighbors, etc. have promised to write to their State Senators.
2) Fasting can help us understand the link between poverty and obesity - esp when after fasting, we don't lose any weight. Another faster shared that she constantly craved carbohydrates - so when she did eat, she overate in that food group because it made her feel more full. This is why programs that double benefits when you buy fresh fruit and produce are SO important.
3) Finally... fasting can remind of us of how important food is to learning. If our brain is fuzzy during fasting... just imagine what it is like for a hungry child trying to learn. This will give us extra incentive and motivation to push every few years for continued improvements to the Child Nutrition Act - as well as to be involved at the local level with our schools to make sure that children are getting the best nutritional education possible.
Fasting is definitely a spiritual discipline, and is not entered into lightly. However, I wanted to share these 3 things for those who may wonder the practical question "Does my fasting really make a difference?" Yes!
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