Rabbis, community leaders, and anti-hunger experts all responded with well-reasoned answers that shed light on why, in the world’s wealthiest country, over 35 million Americans remain food insecure. One person voiced that our community needs to do more, that the Jewish community can unite in our fight against hunger in the same way we raised our voice against the genocide in Darfur. Another participant added that the federal government is lacking only the political will, not the resources, to end hunger.

This summer, Congress will be reauthorizing the Farm Bill which funds the Food Stamp program. This participant rightly urged us all to contact our Members of Congress and tell them to support a strong Food Stamp program in the 2007 Farm Bill. According to the National Anti-Hunger Organization’s “A Blueprint to End Hunger,” with a substantial investment into food stamps, Americans could cut food insecurity in half by 2010.

The millions it would take to reduce food insecurity (estimated around $18 million) is not a small sum, but it is still something I think our government must do. In addition to the religious mandate from Jewish texts, I find it morally reprehensible that given our abundance of wealth and resources, children in schools remain hungry and adults who work everyday cannot afford to eat. I have contacted my Members of Congress about supporting a strong Food Stamp program. Education, advocacy, and personal experience will all increase awareness of hunger in our midst, but what will you do to help stop hunger in America?

Fore more information about how to reduce hunger in America:

1. Read the National Anti-Hunger Organization’s “A Blueprint to End Hunger.”
2. Contact your Senators and urge them to cosponsor S. 1529, the Food Stamp Fairness and Benefit Restoration Act of 2007.
3. Take the Food Stamp Challenge and encourage your friends and family to do the same.