World Hunger Day 2024 – Take Part In Our Fundraiser

The Little Flower Penny Dinners are asking schools, colleges, community organisations and sports clubs to take part in spreading awareness this World Hunger Day! This is a day when we reflect on the global challenge of malnutrition. The challenge extends well beyond conflict zones and developing countries. Every country in the world, including Ireland, is affected by malnutrition in one way or another and it has developmental, economic, social and medical impacts for people as well as their families and communities.

Recent findings from the Barnardos and ALDI Ireland Food Insecurity Research highlights a concerning trend in Irish household, with a 12% increase in parents reducing their food intake to ensure their children have enough to eat compared to last year. It is evident that food insecurity is still a pressing issue in Ireland with 24% of families saying they had to borrow money to feed their children, indicating a significant increase from previous years (study can be found here).

Addressing food insecurity is crucial for ensuring children have access to sufficient and nutritious food, which is vital for their overall
health and development.

Here in the Little Flower Penny Dinners on Meath Street in Dublin 8, we have been serving nutritious meals to people in our community since 1912. On this World Hunger Day, we would like to invite schools, universities, sports clubs and other organisations from Ireland and all over the world to take part in raising awareness about this critical issue and to help us continue providing meals to the people who require it the most in our community. There are multiple ways that you could help to raise funds and support our charity.

Here are some of our suggestions for fundraising:

• Organise a bake sale with homemade treats made by students and families.
• Hold a fun sports day with various activities and charge a small entry fee.
• Arrange a themed dress-up day where students (or parents) can donate to participate.
• Coordinate a fun run or walkathon with different distance options for participants.
• A gaming marathon – this can be done in any bedroom; anywhere in the world. Simply play your favourite video game for 24 hours or a length of time of your choosing.
• A sponsored sandwich run: grab your friends, make as many sandwiches as you can, and, on May 28th, head to your local city centre and give out as many free lunches as you can to people who are begging or living on the streets. 

There are endless ideas to create a fundraiser and feel free to come up with your own great initiatives.

We would love to hear from you and if you would be interested in taking part in our World Hunger Day fundraiser this year, please contact us on 01 453 6621 or email [email protected]. NB: If you live outside of Ireland, the phone number will be 00 353 1 453 6621.

Common Questions about World Hunger

Why is World Hunger a Problem?

World hunger is not simply about a food but there are a variety of reasons why this is such a complex problem worldwide with far-reaching consequences. Here are some of the reasons why world hunger is still a problem.

1. Poverty: Many people facing hunger live in extreme poverty and are often unable to afford nutritious food or do not have access to basic needs for survival.

2. Inadequate Access to Food: In some regions, there is a lack of infrastructure and resources to distribute food effectively to those in need. Additionally, conflicts, natural disasters, and political instability can disrupt food supply chains. 

3. Unequal Distribution of Wealth: The unequal distribution of wealth and resources globally means that while some people have an abundance of food, others struggle to access even the most basic necessities.

4. Environmental Factors: Climate change, droughts, floods, and other environmental factors can destroy crops and livestock, leading to food shortages and price spikes, particularly in vulnerable regions.

5. Poor Agricultural Practices: Inefficient or unsustainable agricultural practices contribute to reduced food production and soil degradation, making it challenging to meet the growing demand for food.

6. Conflict and Instability: Conflict-ridden areas often experience food insecurity as violence disrupts farming activities, displaces populations, and prevents humanitarian aid efforts.

7. Lack of Education and Infrastructure: Limited access to education and healthcare, particularly among women and children, can lead to cycles of poverty and malnutrition.

Can World Hunger be Solved?

While completely solving world hunger is a big challenge, we can still make significant progress by taking action in various ways. By addressing issues like poverty, inequality, and food insecurity, and by supporting sustainable agriculture and community-based initiatives, we can help reduce hunger globally. It's important to invest in programs that provide people with access to education, healthcare, and nutritious food, and to work together internationally to tackle this issue. While we may not be able to completely eliminate hunger, we can make a difference by working towards ensuring that everyone has enough food to eat and can live a healthy life with dignity.

Has World Hunger Decreased? 

According to a World Health Organisation report from 2023, it is estimated that between 691 and 783 million individuals experienced hunger in 2022. This reflects an increase of 122 million people compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019. Asia and Latin America saw some progress in hunger reduction, but Western Asia, the Caribbean, and all subregions of Africa witnessed an upward trend in hunger. Africa continues to be the most affected region, with one in five individuals facing hunger—more than twice the global average. (source: WHO, 2023)