Ventura County, California is known for its abundant agriculture and lush living. And in that same county one in six people go to bed hungry every night.
Bonnie Weigel, President and CEO of FOOD Share noticed something very wrong with those statistics and decided she would take the initiative to change them.
Since Weigel began her work at FOOD Share the organization has grown 63 percent and it helps more than 74,000 people monthly.
We need more people like Weigel in out world – because our world needs change.
How do we live in such a world of such wealth and allow people to go hungry?
13.1 percent of the world’s population is hungry – that’s roughly 925 million undernourished people on a daily basis.
Most of our nation leads lives of excess, but it’s hard to see the little guys from way up top.
Weigel spoke about FOOD Shares homelessness prevention programs.
“If you aren’t spending that 20 dollars on food then that money can be used to fill the car with gas,” Weigel said.
“That car can then be driven to work, money can be made, and self-sufficiency is achievable.”
In Ventura County alone FOOD Share feeds 18,500 families. 90 percent of those families are employed.
But to live in a place like Ventura County, one would need to make about 25 dollars an hour – in a place where the minimum wage is less than half of that.
Every job has great value, but not every job is financially supported as though.
Weigel noticed the tendency society has to point out flaws, but not take the appropriate steps to change them.
“Let’s do it, not say it,” Weigel said.
“We need to shine the light, and connect the dots.”
Find your place at the table. The conversation has started, now it’s up to us to find the answer.