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Other Views

A Voice Against Hunger

government to slash existing programs
ctivists concerned about solv-
to save money. Other alarming statis-
ing hunger nationally and
tics: 36 million individuals are food
abroad descended on our
insecure; 13 million of those are chil-
nation's capital to provide one voice
dren; less than 2 percent of the govern-
for the 36 million hungry Americans
ment's annual budget is directed to
who aren't being heard.
food programs that address food-inse-
The "One Table, Many Voices" con-
cure families; 1 out of 4 individuals
ference, held June 4-7, drew represen-
served
by a soup kitchen is a child; 90
tatives of 40 organized religions.
percent of families receiving
Sponsors were Second Harvest
food stamps live at or below
(the largest charitable hunger
poverty level.
relief organization), Bread for
A conference highlight was
the World (a Christian move-
the interfaith convocation at
ment that seeks justice for the
the Washington National
world's hungry) and Mazon: A
Cathedral. Representatives
Jewish Response to Hunger
from
40 religions combined in
(which does support and advo-
prayer, song and dance. More
cacy work on behalf of the
LEA L UGER than 1,700 people listened to
hungry).
guest speaker the Rev.
Joel Jacob, a staunch hunger
Corn munity
Njongonkulu Ndungane,
fighter from the Detroit
Vi ew
archbishop of Cape Town. He
Jewish community, invited me
encouraged attendees to exer-
to join him in Washington to
cise
their
faith.
speak for the 2,500 Jews in Metro
In preparation for meeting with
Detroit served by Yad Ezra. Paul
lawmakers, we were reminded that we
Finkel, president of our kosher food
were providing a voice for those in
pantry, joined us.
need. We were instructed to ask our
We first met with a group of Knesset
representatives to:
members (representing the Likud,
• Renew their commitment to the
Labor, Shinui and Arab political par-
goal
of cutting food insecurity by half
ties) at the conference to discuss set-
in the U.S. by 2010 to and set a new
goal to end U.S. hunger by 2015,
• Strengthen the efforts of local and
statewide groups and programs that
provide food, action or outreach to
help people overcome hunger at a
local level, and
• Authorize research to improve and
strengthen the policies that help fight
hunger.
We met with Undersecretary of
Agriculture Eric Bost, whose job
includes managing a budget of $50
billion for government programs that
deal with poverty. He had heard about
Yad Ezra from Joel Jacob and agreed
to visit our operation when he visits
ting up infrastructure in Israel to
Detroit this summer.
address hunger. Most telling was when
Joel Jacob, Agostinho Fernandes Jr.,
one Knesset member remarked that in
president of Gleaners Community
Hebrew, there is only one word for
Food Bank in Detroit, and I strate-
hunger, which literally translates as
gized
before we convened with U.S.
starvation. The word carries no
Reps.
Joe Knollenberg, Mike Rogers,
nuance. The lack of alternate adjectives
to describe the state of hunger caused a Dave Camp and Thaddeus McCotter.
Having the opportunity to speak pri-
gap in comprehension about hunger in
vately with these congressmen was a
Israel. A new word has been added to
thrilling experience. They promised to
the Hebrew lexicon to describe a state
give
serious consideration to our con-
of hunger that people can now grasp.
cerns
and thanked us for our efforts.
We learned from journalists that
What
an amazing two days! I came
most American voters don't think the
home feeling pride in the work that
U.S. government is doing enough to
help people in need and don't want the we do, in the country that we live in
and in the efforts of so many so that
everyone's voice can be heard, regard-
Lea Luger is development director of
less of the language. O

A

A new word has been
added to the Hebrew
lexicon to describe a
state of hunger that
people can now grasp.

Berkley-based Yad Ezra, Michigan's only
kosher food pantry.