According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, over 820 million people worldwide are suffering from food insecurity. This means about one in every nine people globally is suffering from hunger today.

According to the International Rescue Committee, a global relief organization, a survey of immigrant communities conducted in 16 languages in Massachusetts in 2020 found that 59% of the households reported that they do not have enough food to eat. Among households with at least one undocumented family member, that jumps to 78%. Food banks across the U.S. have seen a 55% increase in the number of people seeking help.

As many people suffer from food shortages, support for them is desperately needed.

In July 2022, ASEZ members in Columbus, U.S., volunteered at a regional food bank.

At the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, ASEZ members packed food for people who are suffering from food insecurity, including the local immigrants, and filled the emptied food shelves with food for the local residents.

The students were shocked that many people were suffering from hunger than they had thought, and felt the need for support.

“I’m thankful we could serve our neighbors. We were able to restock shelves and help our neighbors with their grocery items. I hope this have comforted many people at least for a moment,” said Alison Moeller from the Ohio State University.

Rainbow Johnson, who attends the same school, said, “I realized that this volunteer service is not just helping the people in need, but also helping myself. I realized the value of volunteer service for our neighbors.”

The director of the Food Bank encouraged ASEZ’s activities, saying, “I hope that more young people will help the needy in our community.”

Food security has been defined by the FAO of the UN as follows: “Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”

Aiming for a healthy life is a basic right that every human being deserves.

ASEZ will continue to take the lead in sharing the rights with everyone in our community.