Week of Compassion, Love the Hungry and Souper Bowl of Caring
“Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)
God is most tangibly present in this world where people hunger, thirst, lack adequate clothing and shelter, and are sick or imprisoned. Christ claims as family members people who suffer. Christ is so present in them that when you feed the hungry, care for the sick, welcome the stranger – you feed, and care for, and welcome Christ. When you give through Week of Compassion to those who suffer from natural disasters, war, or systemic poverty, you let them know: You are here.
Every week, dozens of children gather in a sparse room in Kampong Thom Province. They gather with their parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends to share a meal, to feed and be fed. This is not just any meal. In their bowls, children receive one of the most common foods of Southeast Asia–rice porridge, but this version is nutrient-rich. In an effort to address malnutrition and prevent stunting among the children of the province, Week of Compassion helps sponsor these meals. In rural areas of Cambodia like this village, 41% of children do not receive adequate nutrition. This leads to chronic health problems, delayed development, and educational challenges. By supplementing the diets of children, while also partnering with the community to develop sustainable agriculture, clean water, and relational resilience, Week of Compassion accompanies communities as they create a better future. In this room filled with the aroma of rice and vegetables, you are here. As a grandmother spoons life-giving food into the eager mouth of her grandchild, you are here. Where people feed and are fed, you are here.
Love the Hungry—a Louisville organization dedicated to providing nutrient rich meals to the hungry throughout the world since 2012 (formerly Kids Against Hunger), combines local action with global compassion. Love the Hungry works from the principle that, “…our love should be more than just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.” (1 John 3:18) Love the Hungry meals are donated to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) worldwide, with an emphasis on reaching the world’s most vulnerable children. Although their primary target is children in developing countries, 15% of the total meals packaged are provided to Kentuckiana agencies to assist local families in need.
This Sunday, children and youth will be at the entrances to each sanctuary to collect money for Operation Food Basket as part of the national efforts of Souper Bowl of Caring. On March 4th our elementary aged children and their parents, or a dedicated friend or family member, will be traveling to Louisville to volunteer our efforts at Love the Hungry. February 19th and 26th we will take up a special offering for Week of Compassion. These are just a few ways we combine local action and global compassion.
Our efforts tell a broken and fragmented world: WE ARE HERE!
Blessings,
Tracy