Overcoming malaria, one mosquito at a time
800,000 people die every year of malaria. That’s more than 2,000 a day. I’m proud to that our church– ELCA members, congregations and synods– is working together to overcome this devastating disease, and I wanted to share a story of...
The Body of Christ has AIDS
Perhaps the title is a shocking statement to some. However, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has agreed and is taking action to fight this pandemic both in this country and around the world. AIDS has killed over 25 million...
The Dark Side?
Last week I had the good fortune to attend the Bread for the World National Gathering in Washington, D.C. If you’ve never gone, I highly recommend it. Generally speaking, you spend a few days learning about hunger issues and current,...
Well-meaning Gestures vs. Well-analyzed Actions
How much time would you spend to effectively help end world hunger and poverty? How much time do you think we as Christians are called by God to commit? How much educational time do you think it even takes before...
The Disappearance of Garbage
Never mind “City of the big shoulders.” Chicago is the City of the Big Garbage Cans. Behind my old four-occupant, two-unit apartment building stood four 96-gallon supercart containers: two black ones for garbage, and two blue ones for recycling. Together,...
Corn and Caring
How often do you think about where your food comes from? When you are sitting down for a meal, do you imagine the farms where your food grew and the farmers who planted and harvested what sits on your plate?...
Planet Earth — megastore or garden?
I have been thinking a lot about the food production and distribution systems in the United States, and was so happy to read Anne’s recent post on our national food culture here. It’s always comforting to know that others are...
Act to end HIV/AIDS this month
Are you old enough to remember when AIDS was “discovered?” How did it affect you at the time? What were you thinking about it in those early years when contracting HIV/AIDS was a guaranteed death sentence? Or are you young enough that AIDS has always...
Walking the Talk
Ever since my junior year in high school, I’ve always wanted to be a runner. Now over 30 years later and as the half-century birthday approaches, I still have not accomplished the goal. There is nothing better than fun runs and community...
New intern’s first thoughts
Hello! My name is Karen and I will be a 2011 summer intern for ELCA World Hunger. That statement is written with both feelings of excitement and anxiety. I hail from a small town in the coal-region of Pennsylvania called...