Day of Action at Harvesters

The Action Corps had the opportunity to volunteer at Harvesters in December, and it was a wonderful experience!

Harvesters is a community food network that serves 26 counties in northeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. It is the only food bank/network that serves this area, and it works with 620 member agencies to acquire and distribute food to those in need. Check out this fact sheet to learn more.

While we were at Harvesters, we learned about the organization and were given a tour of their warehouse facility. Needless to say, they can and do house and move a TON of food and disaster supplies. It truly is an awe-inspiring operation, and we in Kansas City are incredibly fortunate to have such an organization in our city.

The Action Corps was put to work on assembling kits for the BackSnack program. For children that receive free and reduced-price lunches at school, getting enough to eat over the weekend can be incredibly tough. BackSnack was created to help bridge the meal gap from Friday to Monday. Each bag is packed with shelf-stable, no-cooking-required snacks and meals to get kids through Saturday and Sunday with the nourishment they need to come back to school on Monday ready to learn. Currently, BackSnack serves 19,000 children each week, and the number is anticipated to grow.

As volunteers, we worked an assembly line to put together as many kits as possible in 2 hours. We were paired up with a Girl Scout troop and their parents, and, together, we made hundreds of BackSnacks! Helping Harvesters with BackSnack was a lot of fun for us, and incredibly helpful for them. We hope to make it back soon to further help this great organization!

Hunger Banquet at Avila University

On November 19th, the Kansas City Action Corps had the privilege to attend a Hunger Banquet as the guest speakers. The Hunger Banquet was put on by the Student Social Work Association at Avila University in South Kansas City, MO.

For those who have never heard of or attended a Hunger Banquet, it can be a very powerful event. Hunger Banquets are an interactive tool that can demonstrate visually the food inequalities people live with daily around the world. As participants enter the event, they randomly draw a card assigning them to an income level. The majority of participants will be assigned to the lowest income level, and a smaller proportion to the middle income level. The smallest group of attendees will be assigned to the highest income level. Once everyone is seated, a meal is served to represent the participants' assigned incomes. Those at the highest level receive a full, balanced meal and "fancy" beverages (juice or soda), while seated at a nicely-set table. Those with the mid-level income are given rice, beans, and water while seated in chairs. Finally, those with the lowest income must sit on the floor while served only rice and a communal pitcher of water.

For our contribution, the Action Corps spoke a bit about Oxfam International and Oxfam America, as well as the GROW Method and Campaign. We also did our best to answer any questions the students and faculty had concerning Oxfam America and their work. The event hosted nearly 30 participants and, we feel, did a really great job exemplifying why Oxfam does the work they do around the world.

On a final note, we want to thank the Student Social Work Association and Avila University for hosting this event and using it as a food drive for Harvesters. We were able to contribute about 3 full boxes of food to the food bank thanks to the particpants of the Hunger Banquet. Nice work everyone!

Low Income Group

High Income Group

Middle Income Group (foreground, in chairs)

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Working the Farm with Cultivate Kansas City

The Kansas City Oxfam Action Corps had the pleasure of participating in a Work the Farm day at the Gibbs Road Community Farm in Kansas City, KS. Including Lauren and myself, we had 6 volunteers helping with a variety of tasks to get the farm ready for the winter.

Emma & Cody, along with two other community volunteers,
separate garlic cloves for planting.

We were able to help Gibbs Road Community Farm plant multiple rows of garlic, seed microgreens in their greenhouse, and even unload hay bales during a well-timed delivery.

Lauren & her sister, along with other community volunteers,
plant seeds that will become tasty microgreens!

Cultivate Kansas City is a wonderful non-profit organization that works to get local, organic food in the hands of Kansas Citians, either by promoting farmers markets or teaching people to be urban farmers.

Sarah Dehart, part of the field crew at the Gibbs Road Community Farm,
teaches volunteers how to measure and correctly space the beds they're planting.

For more information on Cultivate Kansas City or volunteering at the Gibbs Road Community Farm, check out their website. And for more photos from this volunteer day, and other Cultivate Kansas City events, take a look-see at their Flickr stream.

Thank you so much for having the Oxfam Action Corps at your farm, Cultivate Kansas City! We had a great time getting our hands dirty!

Sandy shows similarity, and differences, between neighboring nations

The hurricane showed the common ground between the US and Haiti. But I wonder if both of the countries I love can recover from the storm.  

November 7th, 2012

Hurricane Sandy brought flooding to Haiti. Photo: Reuters/Swoan Parker, courtesy the Thomson Reuters Foundation – AlertNet

Sophia Lafontant is Oxfam America’s lead organizer for Haiti.

It is amazing how quickly life can change. In a matter of hours, people in New York’s Breezy Point, The Rockaways and Staten Island, in New Jersey’s Atlantic City, in Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti were all faced with the reality of lost property, death, and power outages. It makes me realize how interconnected we all are and dependent on our families, friends, elected officials, and the kindness of strangers to help us when we cannot help ourselves.

I live in Washington, D.C., and while Sandy came through here too, it was not with the same force.  While holed up in my apartment for the better part of two days, my mind and thoughts often raced to Haiti, where 54 people reportedly died in the storm, and my extended family and friends still there. Both my parents were born and raised on the island and came to the US as young adults to escape the repressive government of Jean Claude Duvalier. Like many children of immigrant parents, I was raised with one foot in the US and one foot in Haiti. Despite the extreme differences, I love both countries dearly. As an American, I cherish the opportunities and freedoms I have had all my life living here. But Haiti, the land of my parents’ birth, pulls at my heart strings constantly. And the storm, in an odd way, brought into focus for me the sudden similarities in these neighboring nations: the anxiety, fear, loss, suffering, and high-level discussions about if and how to rebuild.

In both the US and Haiti, governments demonstrated leadership. New Jersey  Governor Chris Christie, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Haitian President Michel Martelly, and Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe all deployed whatever human, physical, and financial resources they had at their disposal to evacuate residents living in low lying areas and to provide shelter, food and water to citizens in their care.

According to the New York Times, Sandy’s estimated to cost the US economy is $50 billion. President Obama has pledged to cut red tape and ensure that aid reaches the needy quickly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already distributed $19 million for temporary housing aid to 85,072 storm survivors. The Department of Labor is making $16 million available to hire temporary workers for the cleanup and the Department of Transportation is giving $17 million to five states to support the rebuilding and repair of transportation infrastructure vital to the movement of people, goods and services. For US citizens there is comfort in knowing the government is capable of responding swiftly to a disaster.

But when I read what Haiti’s Lamothe told Reuters–“Sandy’s impact was devastating… most of the agricultural crops that were left from Hurricane Isaac were destroyed during Sandy“– it was like someone punched me in the gut. With all that Haiti has to fix and all that it was in the process of fixing since the 2010 earthquake, I wanted to throw my hands up in frustration. What is Haiti, a poor country with limited resources and a vulnerable environment, going to do?

The full cost of Sandy to Haiti may not be known for weeks. One estimate has it at $104 million. In some areas, Sandy brought rains equivalent to 50 percent of yearly rainfall, destroying houses, schools, bridges and roads. And then I read just the other day that 70 percent of Haiti’s crops were lost. The agricultural sector which this year alone has had to deal with drought, tropical storm Isaac, and hurricane Sandy has been dealt its latest blow. My fear, and that of others, is that Sandy will increase food prices and further the demise of small farmers—adding one more burden to a country that is already shouldering far more than its share of hardship.

This post was first published on the First Person blog published by Oxfam America.

Dig In! KC

The Kansas City Action Corps' newest organizer, Lauren, had the opportunity to attend a fundraiser for Cultivate Kansas City. Check out what she had to say about the event!

On Sunday, September 23^rd, I had the opportunity to attend Dig In!, KC, an annual fundraiser for Cultivate Kansas City.  Cultivate Kansas City is a non-profit organization that grows local food in addition to teaching the community tips on how to manage your own garden.  I was attending on behalf of Oxfam to make connections in the community and to support Cultivate Kansas City’s work.  Oxfam has introduced the Grow Method, which focuses on supporting local farmers and buying locally grown foods in order to be more sustainable.   

The event allowed for time in the beginning to shop at local farmers booths that had been invited to the event.  I took home a variety of different foods being sold including; basil, apples, okra, and salsa.  Everything I took home was delicious and I received more than what I would have paying the same at a grocery store.  After allowing time to shop and talk with the different farmers the event proceeded to the dinner prepared by chefs that use many of the ingredients that were supplied by the farmers at the booths.  The dinner included many courses of delicious, fresh food that were enjoyed under the stars at the Historic City Market. 

            

Oxfam supports local farmers in their initiative to lessen global hunger.  Cultivate Kansas City’s work is an important facet within the community and whose work not only affects the Kansas City community but the world. 

Food Justice

Food Justice by Shayla Price

There's enough food in the world to feed everyone. So, why do individuals go hungry?

Huge imbalances in access to fertile land and water exist. Farmers and consumers do not hold the power to control these vital resources. Instead, companies and governments possess authority over the global food system. They often determine who eats and who doesn't.

Oxfam's GROW Campaign advocates for food justice. Here are a few goals of the campaign:

• Increase the productivity, self-reliance, and economic opportunity of small-scale farmers;
• Increase farmers' access to resources like water and land; and
• Modernize our food aid programs so they are more effective, efficient, and fiscally responsible.

Watch the video to learn how Oxfam America is working together with others to end poverty and injustice. Also,  get involved by taking the Oxfam GROW Pledge!

Sahel Food Crisis

Sahel Food Crisis by Shayla Price

More than 18 million people are facing a food crisis across West and Central Africa. Due to inconsistent rains, poor food harvests and water shortages have occurred.

The food crisis, which followed a drought in 2011, has affected 4.6 million people in Mali. Currently, the country is not only dealing with hunger issues but also political strife, leading 400,000 people to flee their homes. Particularly, resources are needed to save children from severe malnutrition.

To assist in the humanitarian crisis, Oxfam International is helping vulnerable families with cash transfers, water, and public health related work.  The World Food Programme is providing vouchers and cash for individuals to purchase food at local markets, supporting the economy.

So, how can you help? Donate funds. Sign a petition. Spread the word. To learn more about the Sahel food crisis, watch the video below.

Update from the KC Oxfam Action Corps

This week, we had our second meeting and it was a great success! Not only did we have four wonderful and excited volunteers attend, but Oxfam America's Lead on Agricultural issues, Jim French, paid us a visit as well. Jim filled us all in on the GROW Method and how Oxfam America is planning to advocate it in conjunction with World Food Day (October 16th). We are planning some local events for this fall as well, which we'll post an update on in the near future. If you're not familiar with World Food Day, it is a day devoted to raising awareness about issues of hunger and food injustice across the globe. Check out World Food Day USA to learn more and see events going on all across the country.

While World Food Day will bring some exciting events in a couple months, we have an opportunity next weekend to get involved with the KC Action Corps now! On Saturday September 8th, we'll have a table set up at Green Fest at the Uptown Theater to raise awareness about Oxfam America and its current campaigns. Green Fest is an event that gives people inspiration and resources to begin living in a more environmentally friendly way, and introduces them to green products, businesses, and organizations. Activities include shopping, film screenings, speakers, and more! If you're interested in volunteering at this great event, send us an email at kansascity@oxfamactioncorps.org.



If you're not already on our mailing list, send us an email to get signed up, or check out our Facebook page for more information on meetings and upcoming events. We'd love to meet you!

Live the GROW Method Way

Live the GROW Method Way by Shayla Price

Hunger affects 1 in 7 people around the world. So, how can we work together to tackle global hunger? Oxfam International has created the GROW Method. Through every day simple tasks, we can fix the food system and create a better world for everyone.

Right now, our food system is broken. The way we produce food is hurting the environment. Agriculture accounts for nearly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, climate change is influencing how small-scale farmers grow food. From farmers to grocers to consumers, we all play a role in mending the food system.

The GROW Method is part of the solution. Below are five easy ways you can get involved:

1. Save food

Create less waste by storing your food. Don’t throw away leftovers, instead be creative and try new recipes.

2. Buy seasonal

Energy is wasted when farmers grow out of season. Purchase fruits and vegetables that are in season.

3. Consume less meat and dairy

The production of beef uses a lot of water—a 500g packet of beef contains 6,810 liters of water. Instead of eating more meat, try swapping a dish or two with veggie meals.

4. Support small-scale farmers

Protect the 1.5 billion people living on small farms. When you shop, look out for Fair Trade products and brands.

5. Cook Smart

Conserve the heat. Try eating cold meals, such as salads or no bake cakes, to save energy.

We can change the world by changing how we live. To learn more about the GROW Method, visit: http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/method. Let’s do it together!

Hunger and Independence

The country of South Sudan just ended its first year as an independent nation. This milestone has put the young country front and center in  international headlines and with aid and relief organizations. While independence from Sudan would, ideally, make both nations more stable, that has not been the case thus far. Oxfam America posted a great blog piece on hunger in South Sudan, which we've republished below.

South Sudan: Returning to Hunger by Noah Gottschalk

As South Sudan celebrates the first anniversary of its separation from Sudan, the world’s newest nation faces multiple challenges including simmering tensions along the border, the influx of an estimated 165,500 refugees from ongoing conflict in Sudan, inter-communal conflicts, and an economy crippled by the closure of the border and shutdown of oil production. Perhaps most alarming, however, is the escalating food crisis threatening nearly half of the country’s 9.7 million inhabitants according to recent UN estimates. As the government, UN, and NGOs struggle to respond, the country is anticipating the arrival of hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese who are among the last remaining in Sudan and now face an uncertain future back ‘home’. These returnees are triply vulnerable. The already difficult return and reintegration process ahead of them is exacerbated by the economic crisis in South Sudan, while the multiple and overlapping challenges facing the fledgling state means that returnees’ needs are being overshadowed by broader crises. Instead of a joyful homecoming, they face a future of uncertainty as the country marks the anniversary of its political independence with only the certainty that it will remain dependent on foreign assistance for the foreseeable future.

I recently traveled to South Sudan, where I had a chance to speak with some of the newly arriving returnees. They told me about their journey and about their friends and relatives still on the way. In Wau, I spoke to returnees unloading their possessions from a train that had just arrived from Sudan. They described the economic and political pressures to leave Sudan, including the loss of Sudanese citizenship, and the difficult, 18-day train journey ‘home’. A tall Dinka woman wearing a brightly-colored Sudanese tobe and a black ski cap eloquently described her journey from a South Sudanese area of Khartoum all the way to Wau. She had never been to South Sudan and spoke Dinka with noticeable difficulty. Like many others I spoke with, she had little idea of what she would do in South Sudan. Her husband had returned many months earlier, but she had no means of finding him after her mobile phone, which contained his contact details, was stolen. A short while later, a shy 17 year old boy told me how he had come to South Sudan alone, and had no idea where to go and no way of finding friends or relatives. He was coming to the station whenever a new train of returnees arrived in the hopes of running into someone he knew who might be able to help him.

Such stories of people trying to establish a new life in an unfamiliar and challenging new environment were common throughout the years between the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 and the referendum on the future of South Sudan in 2011. In that six year period, the return of Southern Sudanese was a political imperative for the Government of Southern Sudan and hundreds of thousands returned from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Republic of Sudan, Egypt, and further afield with significant attention and financial support from the government and the international community. Events since then, however, have created an environment where the needs of returnees have been overshadowed. Nevertheless, tens of thousands of South Sudanese continue to return. Once their journey is over, they join nearly a million recent returnees struggling to find their feet in a land that is technically at peace but still very much in crisis.

Despite South Sudan’s huge potential and abundant natural resources, half a century of marginalization and conflict has left the country severely impoverished, with extremely low literacy rates, high levels of displacement, and woefully inadequate infrastructure and public services. Although the seven years since the signing of the CPA enabled greater efforts to address these fundamental issues, investment has fallen short of needs. In the year since South Sudan gained its independence, however, the country risks backslidingeconomic outlook and austerity measures that slashed budgets for almost all social services. At the same time, politicized tribal conflict, ongoing militia activity, and conflict along the border with Sudan threaten the physical safety of civilians across South Sudan. For returnees, this means returning to a volatile and potentially dangerous independent homeland with only minimal support.

Reintegration and absorption capacity within South Sudan is already extremely limited. The disproportionate focus on the physical return of displaced southerners over their reintegration which characterized the CPA period continues today, and as a result many thousands of returnees are still awaiting assistance and access to land.

Those reintegration efforts that do exist tend to be heavily focused on return to rural areas, with far too little attention on either the link between rural livelihoods and constraints on access to land, or on return to urban areas. Returnees who do not want to settle in rural areas—either because they are uncomfortable with a rural lifestyle, lack connections to those ‘areas of origin’, or because those areas lack basic services—regularly face difficulty in acquiring land in towns. This is for multiple reasons, including government policies which seek to avoid overcrowding of towns, particularly state capitals. The scarcity of job opportunities in urban areas and insufficient programming to target returnees seeking to live in towns, particularly in places like Kuajok and Aweil, have the potential to leave large numbers of recent returnees without any means of sustainably supporting themselves and their families. The Government of South Sudan has a policy that commits it to providing basic services and assistance to returnees. But its ability to deliver is now in question under the austerity budget. Therefore, the government must urgently revisit and outline its reintegration plan, with both humanitarian and development actors involved, to assess the ability to support new arrivals and provide resolution to outstanding issues, such as land distribution, for those returnees already in South Sudan.

More broadly, the oil shutdown in South Sudan brings into critical focus the need for South Sudan to diversify its economy, and particularly to  develop its full agricultural potential for the benefit of all South Sudanese, including returnees. Ultimately, South Sudan must escape cyclical food insecurity and dependence on emergency food aid. It needs to support vibrant markets and a diverse economy, while building a social safety net. For this to become a reality, the international community must continue to pursue all channels to support negotiated solutions to the conflict between Sudan and South Sudan and the resolution of the outstanding CPA issues. Without real peace, there can be no full humanitarian access, durable solutions for Sudanese refugees, or the sustainable development solutions necessary to build a resilient and self-sufficient South Sudan.

Read more about what Oxfam is doing in Sudan and South Sudan.


For more great stories and information on the work being done by Oxfam America, check out their Politics of Poverty blog.