With the world’s population expected to hit 7 billion by the end of October, what better time is there to talk about the broken food system that is failing a large percentage of that population? That is the primary objective of “Gather to Grow”, a new Oxfam campaign aimed at tackling the Global Food Crisis, one friendly gathering at a time!
The aim of the game is to organize a gathering with as many (or as few) of your family, friends or colleagues as your heart desires and have a light brain-storming session about world hunger. It is about raising awareness, examining how your actions might be contributing to the problem or innovating ways that will help fix it. If you raise funds to go towards the Shout the Horn cause – all the better!
5 Reasons You Should Gather To Grow
1. Because… “Eighty per cent of the world’s hungry are directly involved in producing food” (from Oxfam Grow Brochure). I don’t think any statistic I have seen highlights the injustice of world hunger more than that!
2. Because… Across the Horn of Africa (the eastern side of the continent) over 13 million people (and a countless amount of animals) are experiencing the worst drought in 60 years as well as dire food shortages.
3. Because… “Suffering – no matter how multiplied – is always individual” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh
4. Because… it is very possible to end hunger! Raising awareness generates interest which leads to increased funds. This then facilitates Oxfam to provide life-saving support for millions of people. Things like life-saving water, basic sanitation, education for children and aid for small-scale farmers. Things that a lot of us take for granted.
5. Because… Do you really need a fifth excuse to meet up with family and friends? Go have a chat over some fair-trade coffee, appreciate how lucky you are over some organic wine or just sit in the comfort of your home with a notepad and a pen
Oxfam have provided an amazing resource in the Gather to Grow pack which can be found here. It includes information about the issue of world hunger, a guide on how to throw an event, recipes from celebrity chefs (like Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin) and even template invites! If you decide to throw one, please email me and let me know how it went.
As a lover of all things dinner party, I have decided that I am going to take this opportunity to gather my lovely (and socially informed) girlfriends to nut out a way to live more sustainably – without making it feel like a lecture.
I recently read that it would only cost 1% of the world’s national income to help end world hunger. In retrospect America has spent $2.3 trillon dollars or more on the Afghanistan war since 2001. It’s time to focus on what is important! Can’t wait for the dinner party and to see what all the other girls (particularly the not-so-eco ones) think about it.
P.S. 1% of the world’s national income = $195 billion a year.