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Jesus' command is clear: we are called to feed all of God's children. But is that possible?
Twenty-five years ago, 23.3 percent of the world's population lived in hunger. Today, that number has dropped to 12.9 percent—giving rise to the renewed hope that what once seemed unthinkable is now within reach. The challenges are great, but the fight to eliminate malnutrition and hunger is one we can win.
The End of Hunger brings together activists, politicians, scientists, pastors, theologians, and artists on this urgent topic. Here is a comprehensive picture of the current situation—the latest facts and figures are presented alongside compelling stories, both from those engaged in the fight against hunger and from the hungry themselves. Here too are clear steps for action by individuals, families, churches, and communities.
This book is designed to inform and inspire you to get involved in the gospel work of eradicating global malnutrition and feeding the hungry. It is Jesus' command—and together, with God's help, we can do it.
Contributors include
"The amazing array of voices gathered in this book will begin with good news about the progress we've made in addressing hunger since 1990. They'll share the hard news about what hunger is and what it does to human brains, bodies, and souls. Then, they'll invite you to be part of creating more good news, so you know how you can be a part of the growing global movement to end hunger—in our lifetime."
"Every generation of Christians has to ask themselves how they will respond to the global issues of their day, to the challenges taking place on our watch. The End of Hunger hosts a coalition of voices: global experts, activists, storytellers, and men and women for whom hunger and food insecurity has been their lived experience. Together they offer wisdom and practical insight toward a multifaceted response to global hunger. Furthermore, they issue a clarion call to use our voices, our love, and our lives to make a difference. The time and opportunity is now. The End of Hunger is a must-read!"
"Deeply moving and insanely motivating, The End of Hunger reminds us that we have more power than we ever imagined to change the world. This is the book that will spark a revolution of everyday activism that will bring about the eradication of hunger and malnutrition. Through beautiful storytelling and impressive research, the message of hope shared in these pages will surely invigorate your soul and change your perspective on what is possible."
"A magnificent book, which couldn't come at a better time. It brings together a host of voices that explain, reveal, inform, inspire, and encourage, all in the interests of carrying out an urgent task that all people of goodwill can agree on: feeding the hungry."
"Everywhere that I work in rural Africa I see the loss of life and potential as a result of malnutrition. Sadly, global hunger most often affects those most vulnerable—children and young mothers. The End of Hunger: Renewed Hope for Feeding the World is a clear reminder of this problem from the unique perspective of many: scientists, health care workers, advocates, those from the community of faith, and those directly affected by global hunger. The book both inspires with evidence of the progress that has been made, and challenges with a call for all of us as followers of Jesus to keep our hearts of compassion open and to continue to do what we can to heed Jesus' words, 'When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat.'"
"Once again Cathleen Falsani and Jenny Eaton Dyer deliver a thoughtfully curated canon of truthful revelations and authentic epiphanies. Brilliantly weaving confessional meanderings with imperative treatments of hope, the range of voices is remarkable—activists and chefs, social scientists and theologians, politicians and musicians. The End of Hunger is not only timely but an urgent appeal to heal the world by healing what's broken in each of us. This book offers a practical roadmap for mending these aches."
"This book is an important and thoughtful look at one of the most serious problems across the world. Each of the essays treats hunger with equal parts compassion, equity, justice, and ultimately hope, showing us the way forward in building a better world. Proper nutrition is a right and a key element of what people of all faiths and creeds are called to do in caring for the most vulnerable. Hunger is therefore more than a relief, development, and advocacy issue; that there are hungry and starving people is a moral issue and a religious matter. I am grateful for this resource and the challenges it poses as well as the answers it offers."
"We must remember the Beatitudes are both spiritual and social wisdom. The call to 'hunger and thirst for righteousness' is also a call to come together and ensure everyone has food at the table. In the Franciscan tradition we remember that creation is the first Bible, and we can see there is enough to go around while many are yet hungry. The End of Hunger shows us the way to get there by 2030."
"'Love,' as one contributor to this book states, 'is at the root of justice.' In this collection, we're given a clear call to action—as well as simple and achievable steps that every one of us can take—to transform our love for God into hopeful and effective advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations. After all, what did Christ tell his dear and blunder-prone friend Peter to do as a sign of his love? 'Feed my sheep.' I'm grateful for this compelling book; may it rouse each of us into action."
"My favorite kind of leadership is one that ignites a spark of fire deep within the belly and shows us exactly how to fan the flames of that ambition to set the world ablaze. That's exactly what this book delivers. By bringing together this collection of voices from thought leaders, advocates, and activists of every stripe, The End of Hunger lays out real-life stories of individuals impacted by the hunger crisis, food scarcity, and malnutrition and tells us in practical terms how we can make a global difference in this fight just by incorporating a few simple dial turns and adjustments from where we do life. Whether it's the choices we make from the aisles of our grocery store, or what we harvest from the vegetable garden growing in the back yard, or how we engage in our community and with our elected officials, or the way we feed and nourish our loved ones and have conversations with them around the dinner table, everyone can have a seat at the table in this work. I really believe that this is the stuff that matters, and it's what is going to change the world."
"To grow, cook, eat, and share food is to participate in God's nurturing ways with the world. To consign anyone to hunger is not just to condemn them to a miserable life. It is also to deprive them of one of the most visceral and basic experiences of God's love. This is why Christians must do everything they can to understand the causes of hunger, and then eliminate them one by one. Read this book and discover how you can become a vital member in God's daily work of providing for every creaturely need."
Introduction—Jenny Eaton Dyer
Part I: An Overview of the Problem of Hunger
1. Hunger and Your Brain: Feed the Hungry. You’ll Feel Better Too—Mike McHargue
2. The End of Hunger—Jeffrey D. Sachs
3. A Threat to Health Anywhere Is a Threat to Peace Everywhere—William H. Frist
4. The Bible, Poverty, Justice, and Christian Obedience—Ron Sider
5. A Multipronged Approach—Rudo Kwaramba-Kayombo
6. Onward to 2030—Will Moore
Esther: Oaxaca, Mexico
7. A Path to Peace and Stability—David Beasley
8. Bring Everyone to the Table—Helene Gayle
9. What to Do About Malnourished People Around the World—Tony Campolo
10. “Remember Us When You Come into Your Kingdom”: Hunger in America—Jeremy K. Everett
11. Caught in Conflict—Kimberly Flowers
12. The Possible Impossible Dream—Gabe Salguero
13. The Bread of Heaven—Jonathan Martin
Part II: The First One Thousand Days: Young Women, Mothers, and Children
14. I Am Gita—Roger Thurow
15. A Thousand Days and A Million Questions—Cathleen Falsani
Vasco: Blantyre, Malawi
16. To End Preventable Deaths in Mothers and Children, We Must End Hunger and Malnutrition—Mark K. Shriver
17. Amazzi: When You Have Enough—The Taylor Family: Steve, Debbie, and Sarah
Nighty: Pajimo, Uganda
18. Hunger and Sex Trafficking—Nikole Lim
19. From Hunger to Holistic Health—Elizabeth Uriyo and Christopher Delvaille
Part III: A Way Forward: What We Can Do
Rupa: Kathmandu, Nepal
20. When You Eat, Sit Down—Rick Bayless
21. Begin with Love—Rachel Marie Stone
22. End Hunger: Do the Thing That’s in Front of You—Tony P. Hall
23. From the Garden to the Table—Amy Grant
24. Hunger, Fasting, and Faith—Ángel F. Méndez Montoya
25. Feeding the Hungry by Raising Dignity—Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Brad Paisley
Shorty: Bombay Beach, California, USA
26. The Lamb’s Agenda—Samuel Rodriguez
27. Teach a Man to Fish—Diane Black
28. Ending Hunger Starts with Modernizing How We Deliver Food Aid—Bob Corker
29. Exodus from Hunger—David Beckmann
Acknowledgments
Next Steps: Advocacy and Philanthropy
Glossary
Notes
Contributors