On Thursday night Josh and I wet to a hunger banquet on our campus put on by the McKay Center, my former employer. It was an incredible and touching experience. When you entered you received a number. Your number determined where you sit. A small group of people, including Josh and myself, sat at a table with a table cloth on it and silverware--thus representing the upper class. The middle class sat at a table with no cloth and plastic forks. The low income group sat on the floor and was the majority of the group.
They began by sharing facts with us:
Worldwide, there is enough food to feed the entire population of the planet. The problem is that not everyone has sufficient means to access that food year round.
The high income group represents 15 percent of the world’s population with a per capita income of $10,726 or more. They consume 70 percent of the world's food.
The middle income group is made up of 35 percent of the world’s population. They earn between $876 and $10,725 a year. Their levels of security and access to resources vary greatly. They live on the edge. For many, it would take losing only one harvest to drought or a serious illness to throw you into poverty.
The low income group represented the majority of the world’s population—roughly 50 percent. Their average income is less than $875 a year—about $2.40 a day—although many earn much less.
854 million people around the world are chronically hungry.
Every 3 seconds someone dies from huger.
Everyday 27,000 children die from hunger or other preventable diseases.
After many more facts were shared and scenarios given the highest income level table was served punch, salad, chicken, rice, and a piece of cake on nice pottery. The middle income was given rice and black beans on paper plates, and the lowest income had to get up and were given a scoop of rice in their hands. As they walked to get back to their side of the room they past our tables and we were told we could not share our food. Why?--because how many of us are really giving back? How many of us are giving of our time and means to help the hungry around the world? All of us were fed, but I cannot express how deeply we were touched.
We are all God's children. We have have a responsibility to take care of our bothers and sisters. It is so hard to not become consumed by all the worldly desires. It is easy for Josh and I to say while we are poor, "if we had we would give." But as the sun begins to set on this chapter of our lives, and not too many years from now will have more money, I sincerely pray that we will maintain our desire to give back. All the most beautiful materialistic things in the world are not worth more than the price of one soul or one mouth to feed.
D&C 57:16 warns: "Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgement, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!"
Matthew 19:21 it reads; "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow me."
We are blessed beyond that which we can imagine.
May we all give back in the measure in which we can.
Take a moment and watch this short clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcRSCynTsWc
Our most sincere love.
