Op Ed - 12/17/2007

Let Them Know it’s Christmas Time

By Daniel Martin

The holiday season is upon us, and that means holiday music is also near. While most music for the holidays is cheerful and festive, some tunes are more heartfelt and thought-provoking. This does not simply refer to the ever touching “Christmas Shoes” song and similar songs. Rather I am thinking about the song written for Live Aid - “Do They Know It’s Christmas.” In the spirit of the season, with benevolence all around us, it seems we are always reminded of those less fortunate than us.

Now it may be that there are now several different recordings of the song, but I have heard “Do They Know It’s Christmas” more times this year than I have in recent memory. Perhaps it’s intentional, but then again, it may be totally inadvertent. It is important that we recognize the needs that surround us. The public may become so focused in all the holiday spending that we forget about the holiday giving. This holiday season, as a country, we need to shift our focus a bit more to giving and helping those in need, and honestly try to stop hunger in its tracks.

Hunger in America, a recent study released by Hormel Foods, revealed that hunger in America has grown significantly. Much of the blame was on increasing food and fuel prices, but America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s largest charitable food bank, is also dealing with declines in support from federal food aid programs. Having an increased demand has also exacerbated the hunger issue. In addition, some states impose tax on food, further hurting working families who struggle to put food on the table. The fact is clear: hunger is getting worse, and it is up to us to stop it.

This problem has not gone unnoticed by the United States Congress. To address the issue legislatively, the Senate passed its version of the farm bill by a vote of 79-14. Although the bill makes improvements in the nutrition programs, the funding for those measures is provisional. Despite the fact that two reform amendments received majority votes, commodity payments were also protected. The question we must ask: Can this worthy legislation help those in need right now? The answer is most likely no. It is going to take a commitment from the private and public sector to combat the devastating effects of hunger and poor nutrition. The faith-based community must become involved and get on the front lines to help people in need.

As Americans, it is sometimes easy to get into a daze. We see the Salvation Army “bell ringers” as we shop at stores, or we see “A Christmas Carol” marathon on TV, or we hear the same Christmas song about feeding the world when we turn our radio on, over and over again. After this far-reaching exposure, we just cannot sit idly by and become comfortably numb, tuning out a crucial message we need to hear. Obviously we are not entirely oblivious to the fact that food and fuel costs are rising. However, if we are insensitive to the hunger dilemma, the problem will only get worse. If the political will is there, America can eradicate hunger in the years ahead, but only if real and determined action is taken.

Promises are no substitute for food. This year, let them know it’s Christmas time. How can you help? There are several ways to help fight hunger locally. First, the aforementioned Salvation Army bell ringers. Try making a habit to donate your spare change, or maybe a couple of dollars, every time you go to a store that has them out front. Second, you could donate monetarily online to ministries such as Angel Food Ministries or America’s Second Harvest. Third, you should contact your local community food bank and donate canned foods and other non-perishable items. Finally, and most importantly, educate yourself on the hunger issue and commit to doing something about those in need.

The hunger issue is not going away by itself; we will have to make it go away. You may not be able to feed the world, but you can feed someone. Franklin Delano Roosevelt reminded us: “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have too much...it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”

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Daniel Martin is a policy analyst for the Hunger Institute, a project of EPPC Global Management, a faith based research and educational institute headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the Hunger Institute is properly cited.