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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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.

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!