Today When You Sit at Your Thanksgiving Table

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S., the folks over at Oxfam are requesting that those of us who have a feast to sit down to today take a minute to think about those who do not.

Oxfam has a campaign called "The Hunger Banquet" which is a program often run by colleges or high schools in their cafeterias, but can be used today in your own home to illustrate the expanse of world hunger. Here's what you do: (this scenario is based on a meal for 20 - Hopefully you can do the math and adjust to how many people you will have at your table today.)

"If 20 people sit down at your table, representing the world's population, three would get a gourmet meal, five would get rice and beans, and 12 would receive a small portion of rice . . . as you eat your meal, unlike the real world, you see what's on everyone else's plate."

My suggestion would be to put the appropriate amount of food on each person's plate and then explain what you are representing. And if you don't want to do a physical representation, at least bring attention to this scenario which will not only make people more aware, but make us all more thankful for all that we have this holiday.

I wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving with family and friends. And while it's easy to get caught up in all the fanfare, take a moment to acknowledge the millions of people who will eat very little food today and especially those who will go to sleep tonight without having any. Think about how you might make next year different for them.