Latin American theologians of the late 1960s came to a new and different perspective on poverty in the world. They recognized that the ultimate and end result of poverty was hunger, and the ultimate result of severe hunger was death. The connection of poverty to death meant that poverty was inherently an evil that the church should stand against (there's twenty pages of theology boiled down to three sentences). This seems rather simple, but it actually changed the focus of the mission of Latin American church then, and the world-wide church today (remember Pope Francis was ordained as a Jesuit priest is Argentina in 1969). So our desire as a church to address the needs of the poor are strengthened by Pope Francis's personal connection to this concept. 
As a parish community we have the responsibility to not only address immediate needs of poverty, like we do with many programs such as the Streetsboro food pantry, but also form our young people to appreciate the need that exists around us while at the same time satisfying a small bit of that need. That is our goal for this month. Our March GOF activities are intended to form a spirit that recognizes need, and desires to satisfy need in creative ways.       
Hunger and the need for food is an easy way to enter into poverty from an experiential perspective. Everyone knows what it's like to be hungry, and in recognizing our own hunger we can enter into the experience of poverty. This is how we can engage our younger ones on the topic of poverty, while our older kids are able to discuss poverty from the added perspective of Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers from the Glorify the Lord by Your Life book. 
In the end it is important to make the connection between what we are doing, and what Jesus taught about caring for others. Jesus said, "Then the King will say to those on his right,Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." (Mt 25:34-36)

Family Activity Agenda 

                                                                                                       Corresponding numbered items below 

1. Read and discuss Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families pages 62-63.
   1. And review the Glorify the Lord by your Life for our 6th and 7th graders.
2. Videos (two of the three are probably applicable to your child/children) The videos can really set the stage for what will happen at dinner and beyond. 
3. Meal-time Activity 
4. Now do something!
5. Complete the GOF survey, to tell us what you did, nd get credit for the session. 

1. From the books

For all families

For the families with 6th and 7th graders.

Read Pages 45-54 And discuss the following question.
Two points are made on page 50 that are formed by Catholic Social Teachings, they are " The wage or salary must permit a worker and his or her dependents to live a dignified life. The wage must allow for savings, taking into account and individual's or family's future needs."
How do these statements attempt to address poverty and hunger?

2. Videos

For the really young kids

For the young to middle kids

For the older kids and adults

3. Meal-time activity 

This is a great Lenten experience that we should do multiple times, and fits in with our Catholic Friday Lenten traditions. 
It can be arranged by the family in advance if you have older kids, or you as parents can spring this on the kids at dinner time, it is up to you. Together as a family have an extremely modest meal, in both ingredients and portion size. Talk about how no-matter how small or simple the meal is, there are families in our community that have less. Talk about how your family could help hungry families, and let the kids take the lead in ideas (yes, you will have to constrain and guide their ideas.)   

Meal-time Prayer 

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the food that is before us, and we thank you for the people that lovingly prepared it for us. 
As we enjoy this food let us remember those who don't have anything to eat. 
We ask that as we eat this meal that we are inspired to take action to help the poor.
​We pray that by our example others are inspired to help even more.   
We ask these things in the name of those that are hungry right now. 
And we pray for these things through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
​Amen

• Come up with a way that your family can address hunger. (ideas below if you need them)

At the end of the meal give thanks for the time you had together and the ideas you shared. 

4. Now do it!

As a family execute your idea to help with hunger. 

5. Survey 

Family ideas to fight hunger from several sources 

• DONATE NON-PERISHABLE FOOD                                                                                                                                                                                      Donating non-perishable food items is a great way to give back. Families experiencing food insecurity rely on donated food at food pantries to help them stretch their budgets. SJOA helps support the Streetsboro Community Pantry, donations can be dropped of in the designated box in the narthex.  
• Tip: Focus on healthy foods like proteins and whole grains to help increase access to healthy food for local families. Or before you buy items, call ahead to a pantry to find out what they need most. 
• DONATE TIME OR TREASURE TO PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON CHILDREN.                                                                                                                         Raven Packs is a local program that benefits the children in the Ravena school district with food insecurity. The prepare bags of food and the bags are delivered to the children in each class. The person in charge is Laura Wunderle, her phone number is 330-715-4621. The way the program works is Raven Packs takes donations and Laura goes to the Akron Food Bank and purchases the food.  They fill approx. 380-400 bags of food twice a month.  
• WRITE A LAWMAKER

Recent legislative bills, like the CARES Act, do a great deal to support people who are food insecure. But there are many year-round anti-hunger programs that could use more support. You can help keep these important programs in place and encourage lawmakers to pass policies that prioritize access to healthy foods for families by writing letters or calling our local lawmakers. Here are a few suggestions on what to advocate for:

• Protect access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest anti-hunger program. SNAP provides access to food for those who cannot afford it. It’s an important temporary lifeline for millions of Americans – mostly children, seniors and veterans.
• Support the Child Nutrition program reauthorization. Call on Congress to protect and strengthen access to these programs to ensure all kids can be healthy and thrive.
• Ask to increase funding for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), a program that stabilizes families when their incomes and assets are limited and ensures babies, mothers, children and families have access to nutritious food in tough times.
• ​CALL LOCAL FARMS, STORES AND RESTAURANTS ABOUT FOOD RESCUE PROGRAMS

Traditional sources of donations to food banks are changing. Most of our local partners used to rely on retailers and restaurants donating extra items. But as restaurants closed and retailers struggled to stock their shelves donations from those sources decreased. With this turn of events, food banks are increasingly relying on food rescue programs. Volunteers can help from home by contacting possible suppliers, such as local farms that used to sell items to restaurants as well as stores and restaurants that might have non-perishable items to see if they are willing to donate food.

• ​PICK UP FOOD FROM LOCAL FARMS, STORES AND RESTAURANTS

If a local farmer, grocery store or restaurant is willing to donate food, instead of throwing it out because it can’t be sold, volunteers are needed to collect those items and transport them to local organizations.

• SIGN UP FOR A SHIFT AT A FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Food banks often need volunteers to sort food and pack boxes. Our distributions have shifted to drive-thru pickups. Volunteers are needed to put items in boxes and hand them out. Please sign up online so our team knows you will be joining us.

• JOIN A BACKPACK FOOD DRIVE (see Raven Packs above)

With the closure of schools, many kids who received free or reduced school lunches, and sometimes breakfast, are going without those meals. Create take-home bags that give kids access to the healthy, nutritious food they are missing. Volunteers are needed to collect items as well as organize the bags. 

• MEAL DELIVERY TO SENIORS

More seniors are unable to go to the grocery store, so the need for home-delivered meals is growing. Delivered meals help seniors in need maintain a well-balanced diet and stay healthy. Volunteers serve and deliver meals to seniors. Our meal delivery service has put in place measures to keep seniors and volunteers alike safe.

• Create your own collection box: Find a spot in your house to collect food items to donate to a local food pantry, as well as a donation jar for monetary contributions. Involve your child in the process by inviting him or her to decorate the box or jar and to help decide where the donations should go.
• Create a fundraiser: Raise funds for Feeding America or your local food bank with a lemonade stand or host a birthday party where guests are asked for donations instead of presents. Visit feedingamerica.org/fundraise for online tools to organize your own fundraiser, spread the word, and track your progress.
• Plant a family garden: Use your outdoor space to plant a garden and collect the food to donate to a local food pantry. This project will also engage your child in efforts to fight hunger as well as to promote sustainability. If your family would like to expand this idea, consider working with others in your area to create a community garden.
• Draw for change: Introduce your child to artists who use art to convey a message. Examples could include Frida Kahlo and JR’s Inside Out Project. Invite your child to turn his or her hunger-fighting ideas into a drawing or a mural. Inspire others with your child’s artwork by sharing on social media with @FeedingAmerica and #hungrytohelp.
• Hold a community food drive: Work together with a camp, church, or local supermarket to organize a community food drive. Your child will see the huge impact that a group of people working together can have. Volunteer: Find family volunteer opportunities through your local food bank. Your child will be able to see the effects of their hard work through the amount of food donations sorted or the number of meals served, as well as getting to know people directly affected by hunger. To find your local food bank, visit feedingamerica.org/foodbank.