UNITED STATES — Charity alone is not enough. The system that provides food to hungry Hoosiers includes national nutrition programs run through the state of Indiana – SNAP (formerly food stamps), School lunch, WIC, etc. as well as private programs like food banks and food pantries at churches. Our government programs play an essential role, which complements private efforts. All are needed to end hunger among Hoosiers.   

INTERNATIONAL — Each day 18,000 children die from hunger and related causes. These children are all loved by God. Our government programs play an essential role along with private efforts to end this unnecessary tragedy. Often government works through private programs, like the wonderful AMPATH program of IU Med School in Eldoret, Kenya. Some things only our government can do, like influencing governments, regulating trade, debt, tax code, large scale disaster response, and infrastructure. It also is a principle funder of agricultural research and development. 

If we don’t speak up, the voice of the hungry will surely be drowned out by a cacophony of self-interested voices.