Food Crisis | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Free E-mail Newsletters:

RSS Feeds |

Audio |

Twitter

Food Crisis

Hunger Isn't History
The world produces more food than ever. So why do nearly a billion people still not have enough to eat?
By Timothy C. Morgan and Isaac Phiri

Urban Orphans Learn to Farm
At the Lazarus Project, the list of prayer requests is long, but food comes first.

Map: Where to Find World Hunger

Famine Again?
Why some places suffer food shortages decade after decade.

On the Edge of Famine
Politics hinders aid to 11 million East Africans.

I Never Thought I'd See Anything Like that Again
A famine worse than that of 1984 threatens Ethiopia

Redeeming Sudan's Slaves
Americans are becoming instant abolitionists. But is the movement backfiring?

Famine Toll Exceeds 1 Million
More than a million people have died in North Korea during three years of floods and drought.

Editorial: North Korea's Hidden Famine
The poor and the weak should not have to starve due to the policies of their government.

The Global Food Crisis: The End of Plenty
Only when prices rise do we take notice. And the consequences of our inattention are profound. (Joel K. Bourne, National Geographic)
As Indian Growth Soars, Child Hunger Persists
Even after India's decade of galloping economic growth, child malnutrition rates are worse here than in many sub-Saharan African countries, and they stand out as a paradox in a proud democracy. (The New York Times)
Record number of Americans using food stamps: report
Food stamps set a record in September as more than 31.5 million Americans used the program -- up 17 percent from a year ago, according to government data. (Reuters)
A Week of Hunger
Many social problems seem complex beyond hope. But dramatic progress against hunger is not. (Michael Gerson, The Washington Post)
Five million face hunger in Zimbabwe, UN says
The United Nations has warned that more than five million Zimbabweans could be threatened by hunger next year due to a steady drop in food production coupled with the world's highest rate of inflation. (The Telegraph, London)
Chance to Gather surplus crops from fields lessens
Volunteers are salvaging far fewer crops for Ventura County's needy as land and fuel prices rise, farmland is developed and the crews available to pick surplus crops dwindle. (Ventura County Star, Calif.)
Food banks ask gardeners to grow extra for hungry
Sharp increases in food and fuel prices and the shaky economy are creating alarming shortages at food banks and pantries around the country at the same time that demand is surging. (The Associated Press)
How to Think About the World's Problems
It's time to apply cost-benefit analysis to get the most bang for our bucks. (Bjorn Lomborg, WSJ.com)
In India, Even Gods Are Going Hungry
Poor Struggle to Donate to Temples as Food Prices Skyrocket. (Washington Post)
Burglars Plunder Food From Charity
Best Goods Taken From Alexandria Warehouse (Washington Post)

Raising Hunger Awareness

Programs nationwide that Christians use to raise hunger awareness in their congregations and schools.

The following is a selection of programs nationwide that Christians use to raise hunger awareness in their congregations and schools:

The Broken Bread Poverty Meal: A national event is scheduled for World Food Day, October 16. During this meal, a blend of corn-soy porridge is served to participants, who have fasted for one meal before the event. They view evocative story cards that detail the lives of poor children. This helps participants see the connections between aids, poverty, and hunger. See worldvision.org/aoa.nsf/aids/events_brokenbread08

Bread for the World Sunday: This event is held in the fall every year (October 19 this year), with a worship service centered on hunger-related themes. A special offering may be taken. Members may be asked to write letters to lawmakers to encourage legislation to fight global hunger. See bread.org

Crop Hunger Walk: Sponsored by Church World Service, Crop Walk is the grandfather of hunger awareness programs. Many of these walks are in October across the nation. The program marked its 60th anniversary in August. Over the years, sponsors have paid five million people to walk against hunger, raising tens of millions. A portion of the donations is used locally. See churchworldservice.org/crop

Forty Hour Fast: Sponsored by the Presbyterian Hunger Program, this church-based fasting and prayer event typically starts on a Thursday evening and concludes Sunday. Its current focus is on the global food crisis. See pcusa.org/foodcrisis

Thirty Hour Famine: Designed for use in youth ministries, the next national event is in late February 2009. Teens engage in special events and community service projects to raise funds to fight global hunger. See 30hourfamine.org