By Danielle Jolicoeur
I remember being a sophomore in high school and hearing that the world produces enough food to feed the entire global population. Theoretically enough food exists for each person to keep her from malnutrition and starvation. This fact did not make sense to me: How can it be possible that we produce more than enough food, but 854 million people are going hungry today? Or that 30,000 children under age five died today from preventable diseases, including malnutrition?
It's still a mystery to me, although now more from a moral and humanitarian aspect. I suppose when assessing all of the political factors and the intricacies of global trade and economy, the hard facts are revealed. Feeding the entire world population, making sure that small boy in Sudan does not go hungry, is not as easy as it should be.
But did you know that $20 will give a needy family somewhere a flock of young chicks that will supply that family with up to 200 eggs a year? That is plenty for the family to eat, share and sell. The protein in just one egg, as the Heifer International program will tell you, is a nutritious gift for a hungry child.
Did you also know that $20 buys enough maize to feed a family of four in the Rift Valley of Ethiopia for six months? Or, did you know that for a mere $30, you can contribute books to help 10 girls in Afghanistan learn to read and write? Organizations like Oxfam International make it possible.
Next week, the University of Portland is making it possible for you to be a part of the solution to global hunger through three stimulating events.
On Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., the UP community will show its support to end global hunger by partaking in a meal. The annual Oxfam Hunger Banquet will be held in St. Mary's and is a unique expression of the economics of trade and hunger. Students, faculty, and guests are invited to participate in a meal based on an identity drawn at random at the door and in a simulation showing the three portions of the world population. The event serves to raise awareness about the causes of international food insecurity while doubling as a fundraiser for Oxfam International.
Included in this year's banquet is a special opportunity to hear from an Iraqi refugee, Zahara Hamid Sultan, who will speak about food security issues in Iraq.
Students with a meal plan exchange their dinner that night for the meal at the Hunger Banquet, and Bon Appétit provides a donation to Oxfam. Off-campus students or faculty with no meal plan are not charged, but donations will go directly to Oxfam.
Last year, the Hunger Banquet was a huge success, and we are hoping to see the UP community become more involved and supportive this year of global hunger. Sign up at the Cove or Commons this week or contact Rocio Banuelos (banuelos09@up.edu) or Kelsey Rea (rea10@up.edu) as soon as possible.
Wednesday night at 6 p.m. in the Teske Room affords the opportunity to hear from two men who have both known hunger and homelessness in Portland. They are frequent guests of the Downtown Chapel, a parish on Burnside that opens its doors to the community every morning and Friday nights for food, blankets, clothing, and conversation. You are invited to come listen to them share about their experiences and ask questions. Learn what poverty in Portland is like and what resources are available.
Thursday is dedicated to the Oxfam Hunger Fast. Again, students donate a meal from their meal plan to Oxfam, then fast throughout the day (whether from meat, lunch, or everything) in solidarity with the hungry of our world.
To date, Oxfam Fast participants have raised more than $10 million for Oxfam America's efforts to fight poverty. At 8 p.m., there will be a Taize prayer service to reflect on the day. The fast ends at 9 p.m. with a simple meal in Corrado.
We are all in the hectic stretch before Thanksgiving now. Most of us will soon be enjoying a hefty turkey dinner with mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie while 60 percent of the world' population is getting by on just $1 per day. In the rush of these next couple weeks, please consider taking some of your time to remember the 854 million people going hungry around the world.
