Put a Dent in Hunger
I recently ended a ten-day fast. Inspired by some article I read on the dire condition of humanity’s colons, my husband and I decided to “cleanse” our systems. In fact my husband fasted for two days longer than I did, which, of course, means that he won. It was a selfish act and I felt a little bit silly doing it, but by the second night I could see why so many cultures make fasting part of their rituals. I haven’t felt so connected to myself since I was pregnant, but, more important, I was able to get a very small peek into the life of someone who is facing involuntary hunger on a daily basis. If I went too long without drinking the juice that was my only source of nutrition, the hunger hit me like a ton of bricks. After a week on the diet, I realized that given the wealth at our disposal, we’re all going to hell for allowing even one person on this planet to starve.
I don’t have a list of twenty links you can click to end hunger now, but there’s one site that makes doing something very simple. The Hunger Site is a daily click away. Click on the button and you’ve helped feed someone who is hungry today. Sign up to be reminded every day to click.
Give to food banks, buy those dollar donation coupons at the grocery store’s register, work in a soup kitchen, whatever. But don’t let people starve. And if you want to feel what the very tip of hunger’s iceberg is like and cleanse your system at the same time, try a (healthy) fast.
May 25th, 2005 at 12:09 pm
Thank you.
May 25th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
Wow, ten days! Over a decade ago, I practiced fasting a few times, but I never did more than one day at one time.
Thanks for reminding of the hunger site; I haven’t been in a few months.
May 25th, 2005 at 3:10 pm
I’ve fasted for the 10-day and felt incredible during and after. They say the real spiritual benefits come after fasting for 28 days. I love my juicer and although I can’t use it as much with my new work hours (I like to drink as soon as I juice it) and produce is more expensive where I have moved, I plan to try and work it back into my daily schedule.
Peace…………
May 25th, 2005 at 4:28 pm
Wow, 28 days. I’d like to try that. Maybe next time.
May 25th, 2005 at 5:31 pm
Thanks for the reminder, eRobin.
If you belong to an activist group, getting a bunch of people together to do something for your local food bank is fun as well as worthwhile. Our local Democrats adopted a post office during the letter carrier’s food drive; we unloaded, packed, and loaded over 11,000 pounds of food. It felt pretty darn good, and I dragged my kids along to give them the experience.