Food Insecurity
One of the effects of the wealth gap that we can most easily see and readily act to alleviate is food insecurity. Even in an area as wealthy as Fairfax County, there are individuals and families who face daily scarcity as a result of economic injustice that results in job insecurity and low wages and affects their ability to access regular, healthy food. Globally, food scarcity will continue to worsen as climate change causes displacement of people and takes its toll on our ability to maintain areas of cultivation. At Burke UMC, food insecurity is one of the areas in which we have been most active, as evidenced by our Food Co-op and our other feeding ministries. Below are some resources on food insecurity and suggestions for ways that you can help those who face scarcity.
Become Informed:
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Be introspective, prayerfully examining the United Methodist stance on social issues and your own beliefs and habits.
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Becoming a strong ally in a social justice movement requires ongoing self-reflection, learning, and openness to growth.
Books:
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Full Planet, Empty Plates: The New Geopolitics of Food Scarcity (Brown)
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Cultivating Food: Race, Class and Sustainability (Alkon and Agyeman)
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I Was Hungry (Everett)
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The End of Hunger- Renewed Hope for Feeding the World (Falsani and Dyer)
Articles:
Websites:
Videos:
Podcasts:
Help:
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Be in prayer for those who are victims of social injustice and those who work to advocate for them
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Sign up to assist with the Burke UMC Food Co-op
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Pick up and deliver food for the Burke UMC gleaning ministry
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Prepare and deliver hot breakfast for the homeless
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Prepare a hot lunch for Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church
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Assemble bags for the Burke UMC Weekend Food Bags program
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Volunteer for an organization that supports those facing food insecurity
Advocate:
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Become a part of a Burke UMC social justice team that focuses on economic injustice and narrowing the wealth gap
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Write an article on food insecurity for the Burke UMC Connections Newsletter
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Write to legislators to show your support for policies that help alleviate food insecurity and support economic justice
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Find and join an organization that supports those facing food insecurity
Donate:
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Donate to organizations listed above or other organizations that support those facing food insecurity
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Donate to the Burke UMC Food Co-op