by: Timothy Ward

I'd like to start today by asking everyone who enjoys eating to raise

his/her hand. That's it? Come on, I know more of you love eating than

that. Don't be shy. If you love stuffing your face with sweets and junk

food until you look like a squirrel hording food for the winter, throw

your hand up. If you live for all-you-can-eat rib night at Billy's

Arcade & BBQ, throw your hand up. If your midnight snack lasts 2 hours

and includes more than one course, put your hand in the air and wave it

like you just don't care. I'm not here to judge anyone today, I just

want to know where my food lovers are.

That's much better! I'm seeing a lot more hands in the air now. There's

still a gentleman in the rear who, judging from his bodily proportions,

looks to be a regular at the Shoney's All Day-Everyday Buffet whose

hand is not up, but if he doesn't feel comfortable participating then

he doesn't have too. Or maybe he's just to full to move. Whatever the

case I'm glad most of you decided to play along. You may now put your

hands down.

We have established that almost everyone here today loves eating. This

is no big surprise. Since our bodies need nourishment to continue

functioning, logically the best way to keep us eating is make the

process enjoyable. Whether you believe a Supreme Being made us this way

or you believe we evolved this way over time is a matter of personal

opinion. I am not about to get involved in that discussion. I didn't

bring my riot gear with me today, and quite frankly, I tend to giggle

uncontrollably every time someone arguing for evolution uses the term

'Homo Erectus'. So we'll just agree that eating is necessary and

enjoyable. A win-win situation. At least for those of us fortunate

enough to have access to appropriate amounts of food on a daily basis.

We don't always like to think about it but people starve to death

everyday. Millions of people the world over are hungry and don't know

if they will ever eat again. Let's take a moment to let that sink in.

There are people who don't know if they will eat another morsel of

food-EVER. Whole families with nothing to eat, lying around waiting to

die. Many of them wanting to die because of the intensity of the hunger

pains. Any of us who have ever went half a day without eating know how

miserable it feels to be hungry. Now imagine going days-even

weeks-without eating. Or worse imagine watching your children writhe

around in pain from hunger. Imagine the powerlessness these parents

must feel. It's truly a horrible thought and an even more horrible

reality.

Any of us fortunate enough to be born in a land where food is plentiful

and readily available have an obligation to help our hungry fellowman.

This doesn't always take money. A simple prayer at night for all the

world's hungry costs nothing and can work wonders. The Internet is home

to countless websites that allow you to donate food simply by visiting

other websites or clicking on banners. Volunteering for local charities

that help feed the hungry in your own area is a great way to help out

and get some self-fulfillment. If you do have a little money to spare

there are numerous charities that you can donate to that are not scams

and really do help feed the world's hungry. Whatever the method you

decide to use remember that the starving citizens of our planet

appreciate your sacrifice. Your time or money may make the difference

in their or their children's life. So please join the fight against

hunger. You can make a difference.