Global Food Initiative

I debated wether I should be getting personal in this blog but in all honesty who I am a photographer is not as important as who I am as a Christ follower. Today while listening to my favorite Christian station, I heard an add stating that March 11th is being marked as a global food crisis day.

Because I was affected by hunger as a yound child in El Salvador these kinds of things always catch my attention. I will never forget sleeping out in the street one night after the October Earthquake of 1986. I was only 6 so you can imagine my fear. Having my neighbors next to us was little confort as 300,000 people were left homeless when the 5.5 Richter hit in my 6 year old mind, the world was coming to an end. My family was one of the many that suffered loss that year. One thing I will also never forget was waiting in a long line along with my aunt to receive rice for that nights meal. I also remember receiving blankets and water from friendly faces. World Vision came and helped rebuild our broken homes and give us hope that year. I enhale deeply as I type over tears for the memory is still fresh in my mind.

I had a busy day today but once at home I made the time to see what global food crisis day was about and found myself in tears as I read and heard and saw so many children suffering in the world today. I know we are in a financial crisis but I for one do not worry tonight about sending my kids to bed hungry and not knowing when their next meal or clean glass of water will be coming from- if ever. Over 300 MILLION children will be going to sleep tonight with hunger pains. The cost of grains such as rice and beans have DOUBLED in recent months threating millions of families worldwide.
There are many organizations out there fighting this hunger crisis, providing nutritional assistance and other means of long-term support. Together we can make a difference! Compassion International is currently accepting donations as well as World Vision.

I urge you to take a look at the sites, maybe give up a week of eating out, that movie night with your spouse or even that photo session you have been meaning to schedule with me- and choose to make a difference in the life of a child today.