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Hunger
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 Hunger Mission Ministries
What do you know about hunger in our world, our country, our state, even your city? Truly, hunger is an issue globally and locally. We invite you to learn more and to explore these 9 questions to see what you can do to activate a plan to end hunger in the lives of people from your neighborhood, city or around the world!
- What is the problem and how big is this issue?
- How many people are hungry? Why are there so many hungry people?
- What does the Bible say about Hunger?
- Are there hungry people in Texas?
- When should we do something?
- What can we do in, from and through our church to address this issue?
- How do we begin or strengthen an existing ministry?
- Are there other issues that we may encounter when helping hungry people?
- What other resources are there for learning more?
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 1. What is the problem and how big is this issue?
Defined: Hunger, noun. 1 a: a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient; b: an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food; c: a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food1.
Many of us think we know what hunger is. We experience hunger when dinner is a little late. Or we recognize hunger on nightly television news reports with pictures of match-stick-looking children with gaunt faces and bloated bellies. Too often we define hunger either as a personal experience of temporary discomfort or as mass starvation.
READ MORE: Issues & Answers: Hunger
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 2. How many people are hungry? Why are there so many hungry people?
GLOBALLY -
The Extent of Hunger
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) estimates that 852 million people worldwide live in poverty. Some policy experts place the figure closer to 1 billion while others hold to a lower figure of 700 million. Regardless of which estimate is more accurate, the number is staggering. What is important in responding to the enormous hunger needs is understanding which groups of people face hunger or are most likely to be at risk to hunger.
Without question, the world's children are the ones most vulnerable to food crises. The FAO finds that 5 million children die each year from malnourishment and deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. Millions more live in ill health and malnutrition.
Know more of the facts - what if you, as one person, could make a difference?
To understand poverty in the United States...
Take a tour of poverty.
READ MORE
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 3. What does the Bible say about Hunger?
Few topics are addressed more often in Scripture than the poor and the way God's people are to minister to them. Ministry to the poor and needy is clearly part of a godly lifestyle. What did Jesus do, what did He instruct us to do?
READ ON to RESPOND to the Scripture...
Consider conducting a Bible study learning group!
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4. Are there hungry people in Texas?
Texas is not immune from people being hungry. Here are some facts to consider: The state of Texas is third in the nation in the percent of its citizens that are food insecure (16.4%).
HUNGER IN AMERICA 2006 TEXAS STATE HIGHLIGHTS
Key findings are summarized below:
- The Texas Food Bank Network (TFBN) member organizations provide emergency food for an estimated 2,064,300 different people annually in Texas.
- Approximately 418,700 different people receive emergency food assistance in any given week.
READ MORE
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5. When should we do something?
There is no time like the present to assess the needs in your community, to begin praying, strategizing and planning how to meet those you encounter with hunger issues. Learn from what others are doing, join the work that is already going on, ask God where HE is at work and join Him! If you need helping in knowing where to begin contact Dr. Tomi Lee Grover of the Baptist General Convention of Texas at 214-887-5428 or by email at: tomi.grover@bgct.org.
Read about Texas Baptist doing something about hunger in their community and watch the video!
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6. What can we do in, from and through our church to address this issue?
Individual Actions | Corporate Actions
"Drop by drop the bucket fills."
This Swahili proverb reveals the enduring truth that individual actions add up. What one person does about world hunger often seems to be "just a drop in the bucket." But everybody adding drops can fill the bucket. Here are some suggestions for what one person can do in a hungry world:
- Pray on a daily basis for the hungry and the wisdom to act in a hungry world. Make prayer about hunger as central as prayer about other personal concerns.
- Study what the Bible says about the poor and the hungry.
- Give to the hunger ministries of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board and International Mission Boards. While Southern Baptists have increased giving to worldwide hunger relief,. on average But we are still giving is still less than $1 per person each year.
- Read a book about the hunger issue this year.
- Volunteer to serve once a month at a shelter for the homeless, soup kitchen, or food bank in your community.
- Grow a garden for the elderly and needy in your community.
- Talk with fellow church members about the problem of hunger and the Bible's call to Christians to care for the hungry.
READ MORE
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 7. How do we begin or strengthen an existing ministry?
Beginning a Hunger Ministry
The Steps
Identify the hunger needs of the community. This will help you decide on the scope of your task.
- Find out if any other organizations are already servicing the hunger needs of that community.
- Learn about food banks. Salvageable food can be purchased at food banks at a per pound, inexpensive price.
- Learn about availability of surplus food commodities. Contact your local Human Services Department.
Identify your resources. Ascertain church groups (Sunday School, WMU, mission groups) that can provide volunteers, food supplies, financial help, or any other contributions to the hunger ministry. Determine the type of ministry and its policies.
- Food pantry - Soup kitchen - Vouchers - Other
- Distribution: Daily, Weekly, Biweekly
- Witnessing practices - Follow-up ministry
- Record keeping - Reporting
READ MORE
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8. Are there other issues that we may encounter when helping hungry people?
Immigration, Refugees and Hospitality go hand in hand with hunger ministries and ESL as well as other wholistic ministries
 The Isaac Project
The Bible commands us to "obey the rulers that have authority" over us. Likewise, we are also commanded to "welcome strangers." So how does a Christian reconcile these mandates when it comes to immigration in the United States?
Showing Hospitality to the Least of These (pdf)
The Christian citizen lends his/her voice to a very large and unlikely chorus of opinion and competing interests. As in New Testament times and in all periods of history, believers are called to engage the problems of the larger society with a strong voice and humble heart.
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9. What other resources are there for learning more?
Directory of Hunger Related Links
Read about Texas Baptist doing something about hunger in their community and watch the video!
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