Get involved to help End Hunger in Calvert

Friday, Oct. 2, 2009

Thank you for your article in the Sept. 23 edition of The Calvert Recorder regarding the International Day of Peace. It was, as the writer Pat Ullberg said, a great demonstration of county and clergy unity.

I would like to clarify two statistics in the article. The number of county residents utilizing Calvert food pantries is estimated to be approximately 10,000 — a frightening number indeed.

Also it is the poverty rates in St. Mary's and Charles County which have declined while the poverty rate in Calvert County has risen (this is based on U.S. Census Bureau data) — also startling information.

All of which is a deplorable situation that we have the power to alleviate.

As we enter into End Hunger In Calvert County Month, I urge all my Calvert neighbors to do some or all of the following:

1) Participate in the countywide food drive beginning Oct. 1, in all our public schools as well as most of our county's churches and private schools.

2) Attend the second annual Concert to End Hunger In Calvert County on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. at the Calvert County Fairgrounds. Tickets are only $10. Children 10 and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased at endhungercalvert.org, or at the fairgrounds the day of the concert. Please bring canned goods with you. This family-friendly event will raise funds, food and awareness all to benefit the hungry.

3) Get involved. Serve, either at a local food pantry or in your church or other civic organization. Conduct your own food drive, talk to your children about our responsibility for each other.

Calvert County is the nation's sixth wealthiest county of any size. We have a median income of more than $95,000 per year (U.S. Census Bureau data). There is no good reason for people to go hungry in our county. For more information, go to endhungercalvert.org.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the businesses, pastors, churches, charities, government officials and thousands of everyday citizens who are uniting to End Hunger In Calvert County.

Together we can.

May God continue to bless Calvert County.

The Rev. Robert P. Hahn, Huntingtown

The writer is the chairman of End Hunger In Calvert County.