Poverty and hunger go hand-in-hand. And recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization show results that there are more than 1 billion people around the world who suffer from hunger everyday. Not only as this report is alarming but also disheartening to think that while some of us waste food on the table, a huge number of people have nothing on their plate.

And today, World Food Day is being celebrated across the globe. Rev. David Beckmann, the President of Bread for the World, recounts some important events with hunger and poverty. He relates that in 1980, 17 cents per $1 aid from developing nation is allocated for farmers living in poverty and for developing agriculture industry around the world. And twenty six years after that, the allocation has fallen to less than 4 cents. Another point that Rev. Beckmann stressed is the fast rising of the number of hungry people. His accounts show that there are over 1.02 billion people who are undernourished. Among the severely affected are children and women who are subsistence-level farmers who only depend on their small fields to feed their children.

This startling facts and agonizing situation among impoverished nations is the main concern of Rev. Beckmann’s Bread for the World Foundation. His first foreseeable solution is investing in agriculture especially in developing countries. He stresses that policies should be formulated to increase agricultural products, thus also increasing food security. It’s instability with foods and other agricultural crops that spurred riot among 30 nations. He also said that the report of FAO in State of Food Insecurity in 2009, should serve as a wake-up call to take a closer look with hunger and poverty. Another factor is the high-priced crop commodities like sorghum, wheat, corn and rice. And his offered solution is always being prepared to address price instability.

And perhaps another topic that can be of help in fighting hunger is educating the parents and the community as well with responsible parenting. Though the Church and the state have disagreements with it, it’s worth a try to educate and liberate the people.

While most of us worry about the meals to be prepared or maybe the lack of kitchen help like a Bosch mixer and other handy kitchen gadgets, take time to think of those who are suffering from hunger. And while you’re thinking about when is the next Bosch universal sale, also take time to ponder on how you can help even in littlest way. Say no to hunger!