Spring Break
Letter: Reader offers hunger, poverty statistics
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
12/03/08 - To the Cigar,
It has been said that there is enough food for everyone to be able to maintain a healthy life, but unfortunately that isn't happening. There are more than 85 million people around the world who suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition, causing 30,000 children under the age of five to die from preventable causes.
And it was last confirmed in 2006 that there were close to 986 million people that lived below the poverty line, who only made $1 or less a day.
Poverty does not only exist in third world countries but also in our own country.
This leaves 3.8 million people that are unable to afford a healthy diet for their familes.
Also, Rhode Island has the second highest poverty rate in New England at 15.1 percent.
What you can do to help with this ongoing problem?
When you go to dining halls, only eat what you know you can.
There are courses available that are based on helping with poverty. Or you can organize food drives or volunteer in soup kitchens to help feed the needy. There are also some organizations on campus that focus on this issue.
It does not matter what you decide, just do something to help.
McCene Hayes
It has been said that there is enough food for everyone to be able to maintain a healthy life, but unfortunately that isn't happening. There are more than 85 million people around the world who suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition, causing 30,000 children under the age of five to die from preventable causes.
And it was last confirmed in 2006 that there were close to 986 million people that lived below the poverty line, who only made $1 or less a day.
Poverty does not only exist in third world countries but also in our own country.
This leaves 3.8 million people that are unable to afford a healthy diet for their familes.
Also, Rhode Island has the second highest poverty rate in New England at 15.1 percent.
What you can do to help with this ongoing problem?
When you go to dining halls, only eat what you know you can.
There are courses available that are based on helping with poverty. Or you can organize food drives or volunteer in soup kitchens to help feed the needy. There are also some organizations on campus that focus on this issue.
It does not matter what you decide, just do something to help.
McCene Hayes
