World Food Day Is Tomorrow

I have to admit I’m not as aware of the world as I should be. World Food Day, for example, is sort of a foreign concept to me. It’s not that I don’t care about the rest of the world – obviously that’s not true – but I’m definitely not paying as much attention as I could be.

In a nutshell, here’s what World Food Day is all about:

• Officially it’s the anniversary of the formation of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, but it’s not really about the UN.
• World food day is about issues in the production and distribution of food.
• World food day is about nutrition for people everywhere.
• Personally, I think it’s about recognizing just how fortunate we are. Sort of a preview of the not-to-far-away Thanksgiving holiday.

Frankly, I don’t think my ignorance of World Food Day makes me special. I’m going to guess that most people will wake up tomorrow and have no idea. I don’t know what any of us should do exactly, but here are some ideas:

• Volunteers of America has a Meals on Wheels program for the Denver Metro Area

• Denver Rescue Mission provides food and shelter to local homeless people

• You can make a micro-loan to someone in a developing nation on Kiva.org. The loans – usually $25 or less – can be used to buy animals, farm implements, etc.

Personally I’m a big fan of Kiva – it’s a great concept that a business person like me can really embrace. I’m going to make a microloan or two tomorrow. It’s a small gesture, but it might just help out a little.

Whatever you do – or don’t do – I think it’s important to recognize the fact that food shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Here’s to World Food Day.

2009 World Hunger Map from wfp.org