By Editorial Board
As the Dalai Lama once said, “It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act.”
Sage advice that, sadly, often goes unheeded.
There is enough – perhaps even more than enough – food to go around. Which makes the fact that “some 795 million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy active life,” according to the World Food Programme’s website, all the more outrageous. That means nearly one-seventh of the world’s population goes to bed every night with an empty stomach.
This problem must be addressed on a local level. Each member of his or her community has the ability to assist those who suffer from hunger. According to a 2013 report by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Resources Institute, “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” This is, quite frankly, a shameful fact.
Though the issue of hunger may seem impossible to tackle, FSU grad student Meghan Skeehan has shown that with a bit of inspiration, perseverance and hard work, even the most insurmountable problem can be solved one meal at a time.
While Skeehan and the fellow volunteers of FSU’s Food Recovery Network chapter’s acts of compassion may not put a dent in the global epidemic of hunger, their actions make a profound impact on the lives of numerous Framingham residents who experience food insecurity. By donating Sodexo’s leftover food to Framingham-based food pantries, soup kitchens and housing shelters, these [ne members of the FSU community are playing a small but significant role in the war on hunger.
We at The Gatepost commend the volunteers as well as Sodexo for putting their compassion into action.
If you or anyone you know has concerns about where your next meal will come from, The Gatepost advises you to visit The Salvation Army, Pearl Street Cafe or A Place To Turn. Don’t be afraid to seek assistance.
Everyone has the right to go to sleep with a full stomach.