Auburn University’s Hunger Solutions Institute was recently recognized for leading an initiative to unite universities from across the world to address food insecurity. An article published earlier this month describes how more than 60 university leaders gathered at the United Nations to sign a pledge — the Presidents’ Commitment to Food and Nutrition Security — agreeing to “acknowledge hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity to be a critical threat to a sustainable world” and making food insecurity a priority moving forward. The University of Alabama, Troy University and Tuskegee University also joined in signing the pledge.
Auburn has been on the forefront of the hunger issue within higher education for a decade. When Auburn launched Universities Fighting World Hunger in 2004, it was the first movement of its kind to educate, organize, and mobilize students, administrators, and faculty in the war against hunger. It has grown to include nearly 300 universities worldwide. The ability to conduct innovative research and an energetic student body make college campuses an ideal environment for the movement to thrive. In 2012, Auburn launched End Child Hunger in Alabama, a campaign for which I’m pleased to serve as spokesperson. The initiative has taken off and gained the attention and support of pro-golfer and Auburn alumnus Jason Dufner and the entire Auburn Athletics Department.
Unfortunately, the issue of hunger is not new. Various worthy ministries and nonprofits have been around for years working to address the problem. What’s changed, and what Auburn has been instrumental in facilitating, is that people are talking about it. Like many sensitive subjects, it was often avoided because it’s not easy to discuss. But now the issue of hunger is permeating the public conversation. At the grocery store, on the news and social media, at church and work, you’ll see the message. People are realizing that hunger is not only a challenge in countries thousands of miles away, but it’s a hometown issue. Families in your own community may not know where their next meal will come from.
The message is out; the next step is taking action. Hunger may seem like an issue you feel is too big to tackle on your own. One of the world’s greatest humanitarians, Mother Teresa, once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” I encourage you to make a point this holiday season to help even just one person in your community.
Auburn’s effort to address hunger and food insecurity didn’t start off as an international movement. It started with just one university with an idea and a desire to make a difference.
Kay Ivey is the Lt. Governor of Alabama
