And again today 9,500 children will die an agonizing death due to starvation

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Many of us are in no position to physically help them. But if there is enough prayer, those in the right position will become spiritually motivated to do so.

ICXC NIKA
 
I believe in the power of prayer. I will pray tonight for those that are starving. I also try to donate to the local food bank, when possible.
 
I also grieve for these poor families and children who are born into such extreme circumstances that many rarely reach the age of 5.

It causes me to reflect on my own circumstances and the incredible waste routinely generated by many in all countries. I look at myself and my family and see incredible waste and misuse of the many gifts God has given. Trying to correct it is an ongoing process.

Years ago I joined one of those organizations that allow you to sponsor a poor child in a foreign country.I thought it was legitimate because I researched it. Every correspondence was carefully coded and numbered and for a few years I receivd some nice letters, though they were ALWAYS at the time of my allotted donation. After I received one puzzling letter that directly contradicted something from her earlier letter I wrote the organization and the child again but never received another reply.Needless to say I do not give to that charity anymore but give money to Catholic outreach programs and ministries.
 
OP, there are many things you can do to help the poor.

Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

You can give your extra clothes to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

You can donate extra food or buy a couple things each time you are at the grocery store for your local food shelf.

Every Easter parishes hand out the Rice Bowl box. Put your extra change in that.

You can fast on Fridays or whatever day you choose in solidarity with the poorest of the poor.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen, at your local food shelter, at Feed My Starving Children, at a homeless shelter, etc.

There are many Church organizations such as the Franciscans, Little Sisters of the Poor, etc. whose charism IS taking care of the poor. Contact them and ask what you can do to help.

Pray to God for guidance as to how He wishes you to help the needy.

Pray for the Pope, who has taken this cause as the one closest to his heart. He has the power to influence and change lives and he needs our prayer for support.

Amazon.com has an option to donate to your charity of choice with every purchase you make. Many other companies have something similar. So do some credit cards. If you already have to purchase some things, why not sign up for that option?

Try very hard not to waste food in your own life (I struggle with this as I have toddlers and you never know how much they are and mostly are not, going to eat). Start a garden and give the produce to your parish food bank. Seeds don’t cost much. You can grow a lot of things in a pot or container, which if you live in an apartment in a city, doesn’t take up much room.

Mortifying yourself in daily life and offer all sacrifices for the intention of helping the poor.

Offer all your communions for the poor.

Make a novena to St. Francis, St. Vincent de Paul or the many other patron saints of the poor.

And remember, Jesus said that the poor will always be with us. You will not be able to solve world hunger. But you can help one person. Focus your attention on one person at a time.
 
cjforJesus said:
I also grieve for these poor families and children who are born into such extreme circumstances that many rarely reach the age of 5.

It causes me to reflect on my own circumstances and the incredible waste routinely generated by many in all countries. I look at myself and my family and see incredible waste and misuse of the many gifts God has given. Trying to correct it is an ongoing process.

Years ago I joined one of those organizations that allow you to sponsor a poor child in a foreign country.I thought it was legitimate because I researched it. Every correspondence was carefully coded and numbered and for a few years I receivd some nice letters, though they were ALWAYS at the time of my allotted donation. After I received one puzzling letter that directly contradicted something from her earlier letter I wrote the organization and the child again but never received another reply.Needless to say I do not give to that charity anymore but give money to Catholic outreach programs and ministries.
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I share your concerns, but still sponsor a child. We have sponsored 3 children on a monthly basis over the past 10-12 years. One program in Jamaica was shut down due to corruption so our contact with, and support of, our sponsored ceased. I also researched the program, which is very well known, and reports that well over 90% of donated funds go directly to the needy. My research showed that the president drew a salary from the organization of well over $300K/year, and received all kinds of perks.

Over the past year, we are sponsoring a 6 yr old boy from Central America. We found him through a priest who came to our parish. It is the priests job to travel through the US to solicit sponsors for young and old people in need in Africa, Central / South America, and Asia at least. The program is supported by the Church and receives direct oversight / monitoring. Such programs do exist. Your Bishop’s office should have info if not your own parish…
 
wild_thing said:
OP, there are many things you can do to help the poor.

Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

You can give your extra clothes to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

You can donate extra food or buy a couple things each time you are at the grocery store for your local food shelf.

Every Easter parishes hand out the Rice Bowl box. Put your extra change in that.

You can fast on Fridays or whatever day you choose in solidarity with the poorest of the poor.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen, at your local food shelter, at Feed My Starving Children, at a homeless shelter, etc.

There are many Church organizations such as the Franciscans, Little Sisters of the Poor, etc. whose charism IS taking care of the poor. Contact them and ask what you can do to help.

Pray to God for guidance as to how He wishes you to help the needy.

Pray for the Pope, who has taken this cause as the one closest to his heart. He has the power to influence and change lives and he needs our prayer for support.

Amazon.com has an option to donate to your charity of choice with every purchase you make. Many other companies have something similar. So do some credit cards. If you already have to purchase some things, why not sign up for that option?

Try very hard not to waste food in your own life (I struggle with this as I have toddlers and you never know how much they are and mostly are not, going to eat). Start a garden and give the produce to your parish food bank. Seeds don’t cost much. You can grow a lot of things in a pot or container, which if you live in an apartment in a city, doesn’t take up much room.

Mortifying yourself in daily life and offer all sacrifices for the intention of helping the poor.

Offer all your communions for the poor.

Make a novena to St. Francis, St. Vincent de Paul or the many other patron saints of the poor.

And remember, Jesus said that the poor will always be with us. You will not be able to solve world hunger. But you can help one person. Focus your attention on one person at a time.
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This exactly! 👍

For many years on my daughter’s birthday she asks her friends to bring food pantry donations to her party rather than gifts. The trip to the parish pantry gives her way more joy… It makes the other kids think about alms giving too 👍
 
wild_thing said:
OP, there are many things you can do to help the poor.

Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

You can give your extra clothes to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

You can donate extra food or buy a couple things each time you are at the grocery store for your local food shelf.

Every Easter parishes hand out the Rice Bowl box. Put your extra change in that.

You can fast on Fridays or whatever day you choose in solidarity with the poorest of the poor.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen, at your local food shelter, at Feed My Starving Children, at a homeless shelter, etc.

There are many Church organizations such as the Franciscans, Little Sisters of the Poor, etc. whose charism IS taking care of the poor. Contact them and ask what you can do to help.

Pray to God for guidance as to how He wishes you to help the needy.

Pray for the Pope, who has taken this cause as the one closest to his heart. He has the power to influence and change lives and he needs our prayer for support.

Amazon.com has an option to donate to your charity of choice with every purchase you make. Many other companies have something similar. So do some credit cards. If you already have to purchase some things, why not sign up for that option?

Try very hard not to waste food in your own life (I struggle with this as I have toddlers and you never know how much they are and mostly are not, going to eat). Start a garden and give the produce to your parish food bank. Seeds don’t cost much. You can grow a lot of things in a pot or container, which if you live in an apartment in a city, doesn’t take up much room.

Mortifying yourself in daily life and offer all sacrifices for the intention of helping the poor.

Offer all your communions for the poor.

Make a novena to St. Francis, St. Vincent de Paul or the many other patron saints of the poor.

And remember, Jesus said that the poor will always be with us. You will not be able to solve world hunger. But you can help one person. Focus your attention on one person at a time.
Click to expand...
excellent post! Very good advice.We must never give up or become despondent.There are always ways to help.
 
ThankUJP2 said:
I share your concerns, but still sponsor a child. We have sponsored 3 children on a monthly basis over the past 10-12 years. One program in Jamaica was shut down due to corruption so our contact with, and support of, our sponsored ceased. I also researched the program, which is very well known, and reports that well over 90% of donated funds go directly to the needy. My research showed that the president drew a salary from the organization of well over $300K/year, and received all kinds of perks.

Over the past year, we are sponsoring a 6 yr old boy from Central America. We found him through a priest who came to our parish. It is the priests job to travel through the US to solicit sponsors for young and old people in need in Africa, Central / South America, and Asia at least. The program is supported by the Church and receives direct oversight / monitoring. Such programs do exist. Your Bishop’s office should have info if not your own parish…
Click to expand...
Thank you for the information.The Catholic church as well as many other have excellent charity and outreach programs. I like the idea of personal sponsorship because you can actually correspond with a child and see the fruits of your offering.
 
wild_thing said:
OP, there are many things you can do to help the poor.

Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”

You can give your extra clothes to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

You can donate extra food or buy a couple things each time you are at the grocery store for your local food shelf.

Every Easter parishes hand out the Rice Bowl box. Put your extra change in that.

You can fast on Fridays or whatever day you choose in solidarity with the poorest of the poor.

Volunteer at a soup kitchen, at your local food shelter, at Feed My Starving Children, at a homeless shelter, etc.

There are many Church organizations such as the Franciscans, Little Sisters of the Poor, etc. whose charism IS taking care of the poor. Contact them and ask what you can do to help.

Pray to God for guidance as to how He wishes you to help the needy.

Pray for the Pope, who has taken this cause as the one closest to his heart. He has the power to influence and change lives and he needs our prayer for support.

Amazon.com has an option to donate to your charity of choice with every purchase you make. Many other companies have something similar. So do some credit cards. If you already have to purchase some things, why not sign up for that option?

Try very hard not to waste food in your own life (I struggle with this as I have toddlers and you never know how much they are and mostly are not, going to eat). Start a garden and give the produce to your parish food bank. Seeds don’t cost much. You can grow a lot of things in a pot or container, which if you live in an apartment in a city, doesn’t take up much room.

Mortifying yourself in daily life and offer all sacrifices for the intention of helping the poor.

Offer all your communions for the poor.

Make a novena to St. Francis, St. Vincent de Paul or the many other patron saints of the poor.

And remember, Jesus said that the poor will always be with us. You will not be able to solve world hunger. But you can help one person. Focus your attention on one person at a time.
Click to expand...
I do pray and give to Catholic Relief Services.
 
And don’t be afraid to freely give to anyone on the street you see hungry!
 
Graceful_Lamb said:
I believe in the power of prayer. I will pray tonight for those that are starving. I also try to donate to the local food bank, when possible.
Click to expand...
How many prayers do you think it would require for God to cause manna to start dropping from the sky for these people? Im curious how many people prayed for this back when it happened the first time?
 
davidv said:
Why not “let it be”?
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I do believe that God can bring good out of evil, especially suffering, so maybe we should “let it be.” OTOH, I think God wants me to bring this atrocity to light.
 
mikekle said:
How many prayers do you think it would require for God to cause manna to start dropping from the sky for these people? Im curious how many people prayed for this back when it happened the first time?
Click to expand...
Honestly, I have no idea how many prayers it would take. I think that would be up to God.
 
It is easy to become discouraged when we look at what seems so many un-surmountable problems in the world. We ask ourselves “what can I do in the face of such a need?”.
No, we can’t save every starving child but I can save one. If every Catholic that had just a little extra money each month would donate it to hunger issues the world hunger problem would cease immediately.
I recommend that we focus on what we can do, not what we can’t do.
 
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