Get Hungry to Fight Hunger
Danielle Sundstrom, COEJL Program Fellow
Would you go hungry for a day to help those who go hungry every day?
As climate change affects nations around the world, food security is increasingly becoming an environmental issue as well. Despite being one of the richest developed nations in the world, poverty and hunger still threaten the United States. In America alone, over 50 million people live in food insecure households, and around the world, 925 million suffer from sever hunger and malnutrition. (For more stats like these, read about Tony Hall’s Hunger Fast goals).
Some members of Congress have pushed for cuts in anti-poverty and hunger programs both in the Unites States and internationally. The Hunger Fast is a campaign to protect vulnerable Americans from budget cuts, started in 1993 by then-Congressman Tony Hall. Hall fasted for 22 days in reaction to budget cuts that would have overwhelmed poor communities in America and around the world.
With Passover coming up, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs is planning Hunger Seders to celebrate the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, introduce the challenges our nation faces in regard to hunger and nutrition, and present opportunities for action and advocacy opportunities to combat hunger.
Reading the Haggadah every year for Passover reminds us to celebrate the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. The traditions that originated thousands of years ago tell us not to eat certain foods that were unavailable to the Jewish people while they were escaping slavery. Today when we observe Passover traditions, we change our normal eating lifestyles to understand the hardships endured by our ancestors. Different families and sects of Judaism interpret these traditions in a variety of ways. This Passover, we can further our understanding by participating in the Hunger Seder.
Want to get involved?
Here’s how: Go to hungerfast.org and check out the hunger fast challenges. You can opt to
• pray for or reflect on those afflicted by hunger at least once a week,
• join in on the fast and skip at least one meal a week, or
• live on less and limit your food consumption or spending to $2 daily.
I’m committed to the “live on less” challenge and plan to get even the smallest taste of what living on $2-4 worth of food a day is like. 2.1 billion people live on less than $2 a day, and families that use food stamps live on $4 a day or less per member of household. Considering how much a veggie sandwich is the average New York City café, I have to admit my nervousness with taking on this challenge. However, I am inspired by Ambassador Hall and the rest of the participants of the Hunger Fast. Leave a comment below to let me know how you’re participating.
Want to read more about the Hunger Seder? Check out these articles:
Using the Seder plate As A Call to Action
End, Don’t Extend, the Scandal of Hunger in America

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