The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) encourages Presbyterians to put their faith into action during the Food Week of Action Oct. 13-20.
Spanning the two Sundays on each side of World Food Day (Oct. 16), the week of action is meant to inspire and educate Presbyterians about food and hunger.
“Here’s a great time to help other people become aware of hunger in the U.S. and overseas,” said Andrew Kang Bartlett, associate for national hunger concerns with PHP. “We’ve got to look deeper at the underlying causes of hunger and solving the real tragedy of hunger in a world where there’s so much abundance.”
This year, the week focuses on seeds. Large corporations have patented seeds that should be available resources. To learn more about seeds and the role they can play in ending hunger and bringing justice to the food system, PHP recommends Presbyterians host a screening of the film Seeds of Freedom.
That screening could be combined with what Bartlett suggested as a starting point for those without experience in food ministry: a potluck of dishes featuring local ingredients. During the meal, participants can talk about the cost and availability of local food.
In addition to supplying educational and worship resources, the hunger program also has these suggestions for getting involved in the Food Week of Action:
- Defend farmworkers Stand in solidarity with farm workers and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
- Defend family farmers and seed savers Push for transparency and fairness in the Trans-Pacific Partnership and oppose fast tracking the trade agreement.
- Defend food workers Become an ally of employees behind the kitchen door. Request a raise to the tipped minimum wage of $2.13 an hour for restaurant workers.
- Engage in these eight activity ideas and learn more about bringing justice to our Food System