Even as the economy is reportedly on the mend, times are still hard for Americans. In particular, the downturn has made it hard for many to put dinner on the table. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 49 million Americans – including 17 million children – struggled for food security in 2009.
Still, Americans are far from the most vulnerable to food insecurity. Worldwide hunger is a continuously growing problem. According to the World Food Programme, food insecurity is a problem for alarmingly high percentages of the population in some underdeveloped nations.
To combat this global epidemic, Feed the Children recently provided 1.2 million meals to hungry families worldwide as part of its second annual Fight Against Hunger campaign. The meal donations were made in partnership with Jean-Charles Boisset, president of the wine company Boisset Family Estates.
Boisset says his corporation is proud to partner with Feed the Children. "We are committed to helping families in need in this trying time for America and for the world. Never before has it been so important," he told USA today.
Feed the Children hopes to provide relief for children and their families around the world who battle hunger. It invites partnerships from major corporations and individuals through programs like the Fight Against Hunger campaign, sponsor a child, and disaster relief efforts.
The disaster relief efforts are particularly focused on Haitian relief. Currently, Feed the Children has established an operations base in Carrefour, Haiti to provide medical relief to victims of the earthquake.
The organization has partnered with the World Food Programme and Oxfam Great Britain to supply the entire camp with food and milk.
Before the earthquake, Feed the Children had more than 100 children in their Haitian child sponsorship program. The organization hopes that in the aftermath of the quake, generous citizens worldwide will help them increase this number. 