YAB Members gather around the wall of service pledges from banquet guests.

A few weeks ago, the HOTC Youth Advisory Board hosted an awareness event around the issue of global and local hunger. The event, a Hunger Banquet, was a dinner that simulated and facilitated discussion around hunger and poverty. The event was thoughtful and inspiring, and we received a great deal of positive feedback. One of our Youth Advisory Board members offered the following reflection. Contact Abby at abby@handsontwincities.org for more information about the Hunger Banquet or the Youth Advisory Board.

When I initially think of Hunger as an issue, my mind immediately wonders to a child in Africa. Hunger is often times solely associated with Sub-Saharan Africa and because of this, I fail to look past the massive hunger issue in Africa to the issue of hunger in other countries.

Thanks to the Hunger Banquet put on by the HandsOn Twin Cities Youth Advisory Board, I learned about hunger as it relates to villages in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan.  With the OxFam Hunger Banquet, I was able to see learn about the stories of real people and their struggles with hunger. Putting names, not just a generic picture, to the issue of hunger is quite moving.

Along with learning about hunger on a global level, Ted Evans from the Emergency Food Shelf Network talked out hunger on a local scale.  His presentation really hit home, especially with his specific stories about people, and when he had pictures I was, to say simply, quite astonished. I also found it interesting that a donation of cash will go further than a donation of food in terms of the amount of people it will help.  Now that is not to say that individual donations aren’t helpful, cash is just helpful in ways individual donations are not.

All in all, what a fantastic night filled with rice, beans, education, and great conversation it was. I would strongly encourage all you, if given the opportunity, to participate in a Hunger Banquet. It’s a great way to learn about hunger on a personal level and engage oneself in the fight to end hunger.

Peace,

Clara Dockter, member of the HandsOn Twin Cities Youth Advisory Board

In 1994, Congress designated Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national day of service, marking it as the only federal holiday dedicated to volunteering, helping our neighbors, and making our communities better places. Because of this designation, many individuals and families use their day off to serve others and to teach their children about the value of being a good citizen. But how does this connect us to MLK?

Most of us know about Dr. King’s struggle for racial equality and his critical role in the Civil Rights Movement, but it doesn’t seem like we spend enough time as a society focusing on the broader context of his vision. MLK called us to serve one another. He urged us to treat each other with the utmost respect, dignity, and always with nonviolence. He pushed us to reach beyond our own circles of influence to work together with the poor, the oppressed, the under-represented as well as the wealthy, the powerful, and the policy-makers.

As I served this MLK Day, I called to mind the deeper meanings imbedded within MLK’s I Have a Dream speech. I thought about how continuing to serve others, to fight for justice, and to hold deliberate dialogues with those around me are ways to remember those who have gone before us serving the cause. So let’s continue to volunteer together to remember Dr. King, to create stronger communities, and to build the dream society from his speech TODAY!

Perhaps instead of watching the holiday episode of Glee this year, you could sing some holiday carols of your own at an elder care facility. Or rather than piling up the gifts around your fireplace or under your tree, maybe this year your family can adopt a less fortunate family in your community for whom you can purchase gifts. Instead of packing up those warm coats your children have outgrown in a box in the attic, donate them to a shelter or better yet, start your own warm clothing drive at your school, faith community, or gym! Encourage your children, your friends, and your community members to be creative this year, and invite new traditions of giving and volunteering into your life. We think you will find giving of yourself and your time to be quite fulfilling.

Visit our website to find specific ways you and your family can “Be the Change” this holiday season!