In late August 2005, I was glued, as many of us were, to my television as Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi.  As the storm hit, I could not believe the devastation I was seeing.  It was the stories that I heard in the storm’s aftermath, of those struggling to live day-to-day that moved me to act on behalf of those who are hungry.

Soon after the storm, I was asked to participate in a celebrity poker tournament to raise funds for organizations that helped victims of the hurricane.    I played on behalf of MAZON:  A Jewish Response to Hunger because of its dedication to providing critical food aid to those who desperately needed it throughout the region.  I was so impressed not only with their first response, but also with the assistance they continued to provide in the region long after the floodwaters had receded.  I appreciated MAZON’s willingness to address both the short- and long-term needs of the affected communities. 

Since the hurricane, I have begun to understand the larger picture of hunger in the United States and the urgent need to address it not only today, but also through the lens of tomorrow.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over 35 million people, including 12 million children, are hungry or on the verge of hunger.   Today, the hard work of our nation’s food banks, food pantries and soup kitchens ensures that children don’t go to bed with empty bellies and adults have enough food to make it through the day.  But what about tomorrow?  How will these people find their next meal?  It is our responsibility to join together and speak up on their behalf.

Each of us can play a part in ending hunger:  by volunteering at a local soup kitchen; writing a letter to our elected officials; learning about hunger; and providing those who are hungry with the resources to get back on their feet through MAZON.  Please join me in making a difference in so many lives.

Click here to learn more about MAZON's work.