Links
Food Security and Hunger
Food security and hunger prevention continues to be a huge problem in this country. Here are some of the major resources we're aware of.- FoodShare Outreach:
Foodshare is the single biggest program for getting food to those who need it. It's not welfare; in fact, it's a boon to the American economy. The Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin is partnering with the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services with the goal of successfully assisting a significant number of potentially eligible families and individuals gain FoodShare benefits. Check it out! - Resources from the West Michigan Feeding America Foodbank
This set of resources was begun by John Arnold, who worked in the area of food security for the better part of three decades. We here at the Personal Essentials Pantry at Zion Church owe John and the West Michigan team a huge debt of gratitude for the help we've gained from these materials. Check 'em out! - Dane County Food Pantry Network
The Dane County Food Pantry Network (DCFPN) is a group of 48 food pantries throughout Dane County that receives food and technical support from CAC's Food Resources Division. The DCFPN was established by CAC and meets regularly to discuss hunger issues, food availability and collaboration projects.
- Dane County Community Gardens
Community gardens can greatly assist with food costs for families. In 2007, one family was able to grow over 150 pounds of produce equivalent to $389 in savings on one 400 square foot garden plot. The gardens are often a place of expression for the people given the least voice in our society. In the gardens, gardeners become more self- sufficient and empowered by growing their own food. Diverse people come together to raise food and they find that natural outgrowths of the gardens are personal relationships, cross-cultural exchange, community development, beautification, environmental justice, crime prevention, leadership, and self-reliance for their neighborhood as a whole.
Resources on Faith and Practice
Many of us engaged in trying to at least ease, if not end, hunger and need are people of faith -- Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Whatever our faith, it seems important to us here at the Personal Essentials Pantry that if we truly believe that we do what we do because of our faith, it's important that we remind ourselves occasionally just what our faith does say we should be doing.
- Words of Faith
Back in the early to mid eighties, John Arnold compiled passages from the sacred books of many of the world's religions that dealt specifically with how people of faith should treat those in need, those in poverty. Those collections are still maintained on the website of the West Michigan Feeding America Foodbank.
Resources on Faith and Politics
- Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice unites progressive people of faith toward creating a state whose people and government address the real needs and raise the dignity of the hungry and poor; care for and heal the sick; and truly listen to the voices of all citizens. Drawing from the wisdom of our faith traditions, we accomplish this through educating our members and the broader community, and advocating with our legislators to advance the common good.