“Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue; it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.”
-Benjamin Franklin

“Poverty is the worst form of violence.”
-Mahatma Gandhi

One of my favorite sections of the annual Farmers’ Almanac is “Philosofacts,” a page full of pithy aphorisms from days gone by, much like those proffered by Benjamin Franklin in his famous “Poor Richard’s Almanack.” A sentiment often expressed among those sayings is the idea that “who you are is more important that what you have.” And, while I firmly believe in the truth of that statement, it’s equally important to remember that what one doesn’t have – including equal access to food, shelter, and opportunities – can, at times, cast an unwholesome shadow over the potential for who one is able to become.

Childhood poverty is especially problematic, in that sense. Scientific evidence has shown us that children who don’t have enough food to eat are statistically less likely to grow up to become productive adults.

Approximately 37 million Americans, or about 12.3% of our nation’s population, live in poverty, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of community food banks. Of those, nearly 13 million are children. Worldwide, nearly 30,000 children die each day due to poverty, according to UNICEF.

By now, you’re probably wondering what you can do about those depressing statistics. One of the easiest things you can do is donate some of you time or money – or both – to one of the many organizations that work on combating poverty and hunger.

We highlighted one such organization – Heifer International – in the 2009 edition of the Farmers’ Almanac. The organization’s mission is to provide livestock for people in poverty-stricken areas, and encouraging recipients to pass on the gift once they’re on their feet. Since 1944, Heifer International has raised more than 38 million people around the globe out of the devastation of hunger. For more information, check out their Web site at: www.heifer.org

For those in urban areas, community gardening projects, such as Lots to Gardens – a great organization based right here in my hometown of Lewiston, Maine – provide the land and the expertise to help people grow their own food right in the middle of the city. In addition to giving low-income people the resources they need to fight hunger in their own lives, Lots to Gardens volunteers and staff grow extra food that is then donated to a local food pantry for those who can’t grow their own. Other community gardening organizations exist throughout the United States. To find one near you, or learn how to start one of your own, visit: http://www.communitygarden.org

Food banks and pantries are another important facet of the fight against hunger. Whether you know it or not, the chances are there’s one near you. Donating nonperishable items to your local food bank is one easy way to help them help others in your community. But did you know that much of the food that is donated to food banks goes to waste because there isn’t enough manpower to sort and distribute it before it expires? That’s why volunteering some of your time – even if it’s just a few hours each month – at your local food bank is one of the most beneficial things you can do. To find one near you, go to: http://www.feedingamerica.org

There are many other wonderful organizations out there that work tirelessly to help lift others out of crushing poverty. If you’ve volunteered for one, we’d love to hear about it in our forums

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national blog day, poverty cures, volunteerism, community gardening, Heifer International