Hunger - Why?

Frank Rinaldi - Director

Recently, I was reviewing studies on hunger conducted by the Bread for the World Institute. The numbers reported are staggering, there are “13 million children living in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. Members of these households have lower quality diets or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot always afford the food they need.”. “Children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness” and are at risk of the side effects from undernourishment.

The numbers of individuals living in poverty in Cecil County reflect these statistics. Over six thousand individuals face hunger each day. More than twenty-five hundred of those going to bed hungry each night are children. In the Months of September 2006 through March 2007, The Ray of Hope has fed 3,494 adults and 2,801 children through our food pantry. 24 families participated in the Brown Bag Club and we are currently serving 250 lunches every month through our soup kitchen/cafe. These numbers combined with those receiving help from meals on wheels, churches and other local agencies shout to us the importance of reaching out to our neighbors in need.

The Bread for the World Institute asks the question, “What makes the difference between millions of hungry people and a world where all are fed?” Their answer is simple, “Only a change in priorities. Only the will to end hunger.”

Hunger in our community has become a focal point to us at The Ray of Hope. Yes, we are still working to meet the financial, medical, and emergency needs of our clients, but the issue of hunger is the strongest in our hearts and in our minds. We ask you to take part in service to your community and help us in our efforts to relieve hunger, homelessness and the difficulties of poverty.

Peace and God’s Love
Frank Rinaldi, Jr.

“Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry, and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you as a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? And the King will answer them, “truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:37-40