Housekeeping: Poor college students can make a difference

On March 2, Jeanna said:

"What a challenging concept, Taylor. I know I take my fully stocked refrigerator for granted, and I think a bit of fasting (especially during Lent) will help keep my "problems" in perspective. It's hard to imagine what true hunger looks like from my position of food security. 

What do you recommend people do, beyond sympathizing, to help those in need? Especially us college students who are financially challenged?"

Good question!  I’m not sure!  But I do have a few small-scale tips that I’ll recommend:

TAKE A WALK in someone else’s shoes and go to bed hungry.  Then raid your pantry and visit the nearest food bank.

You’re right – Lent is a perfect time (for those who celebrate it) to think about fasting.  Then take the $5 or the 2 cans you would have eaten and set them aside to donate.  It’s not much, but it will make your grumbling stomach more tolerable. 

GIVE OF YOUR TIME instead of your money.  

Offer to help pack boxes and bags at the Athens County Food Pantry, or to serve a meal at UCM on Thursday evenings or Saturday afternoons.  Drag your friends along, too.

WRITE A LETTER to someone. 

Whether it’s to the Athens News asking community members to donate food on your behalf (and on behalf of all your well-meaning but “financially challenged” peers), or to a local or state government official asking him/her to make food accessibility a priority, getting your opinion out there will make a difference.  And you’re a journalism major, Jeanna, so I know you could write a compelling petition :)

START A STUDENT ORG. because education and advocacy work! 

I’ve been thinking about this one recently.  We have student organizations dedicated to ending hunger and poverty in Africa and other parts of the world, but do we have any focusing on Appalachia?  As far as I know, no organization exists.  I am not trying to suggest that poverty in the United States is even comparable to poverty in Africa, but I still think that we as students should organize and advocate on behalf of our community, even if it is only ours for a few years. 

SPEAK UP if you have any more suggestions for Jeanna.