Now where was I...

I must have thrown my readers a curve ball with my posts about hunger last Wednesday and Thursday. Added to my less than cheery perspectives on NYC and my political commentary on abortion, I suspect that some of you were probably not pleased at these frequent heavy doses of reality where lovely flowers, colorful birds, cuddly rabbits and adorable grandchildren are the usual topics of discussion.

The reality is that hunger is a growing problem, and the current global food crisis cannot be ignored - especially by those of us in Christ, who makes it clear to us how we are to respond.

Compassion International has this to say about the global food crisis...

The World Food Programme calls the global food crisis a phenomenon, a "silent tsunami," that is affecting families in every nation on every continent. Food prices for popular menu items like rice, wheat and beans have doubled in the last year. Though increases in food prices have hit all budgets, it's the poor who bear the brunt of price inflation. The higher prices are forcing people who survive on just $1 a day to spend upwards of 80 percent of their budgets just on food. As a result, many people, including millions of children, are going hungry. The longer food prices rise, the more people will be plunged into hunger and poverty.

WHAT IS CAUSING THE CRISIS?
Since 2005, food prices have risen a whopping 80 percent because of...
• rising fuel costs
• rising food demand from populous nations like India and China
• natural disasters destroying crop yields all over the world, including the United States
• growth of biofuels

The problem for most of us who live and work far from those who need help the most is not knowing what we can do. The first thing we can do is pray.

This Wednesday, June 25, Compassion International has declared a day of prayer and fasting for those affected by this crisis. Please consider adding your name to the list of participants.

And, of course, we can give. Donations to Compassion International's Global Food Crisis Fund will provide..

• food vouchers to children and families needing immediate relief.
• seeds and agricultural tools so that families can grow their own food as well as earn extra income.
• supplemental nutrition services offered at Compassion-assisted centers around the world.

For more information:
The Silent Tsunami
The Global Food Crisis - A Threat to Stability
Compassion prepares for world food crisis

***This post was edited 6/26/08 to remove the Day of Prayer and Fasting widget.