Poverty

Today is Blog Action Day with this year's cause being that of Poverty. Bloggers around the world are encouraged to blog about the issue. While we bloggers won't rid the world of this painful issue, we may just raise awareness in an effort to alleviate the issue to some extent.

Sadly, over half of the world (over 3 billion people) live on less than $2.50 each day and despite the greatness of the 20th century, nearly a billion entered the 21st century unable to read or write.

Many think of the poverty crisis as being “over there” — you know, some third world country featured on National Geographic or PBS. Sadly, poverty is definitely an issue here in our nation as well - even in many of our own neighborhoods.

Helping out with poverty doesn't always mean digging into your pocketbook and sending money to well-meaning charity organizations. That does indeed help, but I encourage you to find ways to help in your local or nearby communities.

This evening we are going with friends Brad & Shari to the State Fair of Texas. It is ironic that the Fair's home is an area of Dallas with great poverty. Sadly, many of the children that see the outer fences of the Fair every day won't be able to afford to step foot within those gates. Some will even go hungry or lack a truly nourishing meal this evening as thousands and thousands pass through those gates.

For those of us that will be attending today, I encourage us all to take advantage of the Wednesday admission special. Bring three canned goods to the ticket booth and be admitted for only $1. The canned goods go to the North Texas Food Bank to help the area's hungry.

Take a moment and think what you can do — and do it!