NOVEMBER 17, 2020 — Most years, I read the news about the Nobel Peace Prize as many Americans might: with a vague sense of pride by association if the winners are from the U.S. But recently, I was overcome with excitement at the announcement that the World Food Programme (WFP) had won the prestigious prize.
Even though the WFP’s focus is on far-off regions of the world afflicted by extreme poverty and dangerous conflict, the impact of their award on hunger relief efforts in the United States could be significant. Because ending hunger must not be a question of if, but of when.
As the head of a regional hunger relief organization, I know solving hunger is possible. The only thing we need is a true commitment to doing so. When the work of hunger relief is elevated to the status of a Nobel Prize, it shows the international community understands that commitment. My hope is the American community does too.
I’ve seen heroic commitment throughout this pandemic. Here in St. Louis, we saw an outpouring of support that humbled us. Perhaps most touching was the response from people who didn’t have a lot to give. One student sent us a dollar a day for every day she had been out of school and was able to eat, as she knew there were other kids who did not have that privilege.
People developed a deeper understanding of what it means to be powerless over something as essential as putting food on the table. It’s profound to see a shift in perspective happen on a large scale in such a short time. My wish is this new understanding will continue even after the current crisis subsides.
Unfortunately, we tend to have short memories in this fast-paced world. Major events will continue to demand our attention, and the risk is we’ll forget that one basic need does not subside: the need to eat.
The caring response of everyday citizens and the Nobel Prize Committee’s recognition of hunger relief work encourage me to believe there is an understanding both locally and internationally of the commitment needed to end hunger. My hope is that lawmakers in the U.S. also hear the call.
Kristen V. Wild is the Executive Director of Operation Food Search, an independent food bank based in St. Louis, Mo.
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