Plenty of food if everyone shares, university leaders learn

DALLAS—There is more than enough food for everyone—if people share.

That’s what Dallas Baptist University staff and faculty members learned during a Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission world hunger simulation.

Staff members were randomly assigned to tables and served different meals—from bowls of rice to unlimited chicken with vegetables and dessert—to represent how people eat around the globe. People were allowed to “beg” others for food and could share as they wished.

Faculty and staff members moved around the room, some asking for food and some giving it. They saw what could happen when resources are shared.

The simulation helps people understand there is plenty of food in the world, but it is not distributed equally, CLC Director Suzii Paynter said. More than 50 percent of the world struggles each day to attain necessities, often feeling the grip of hunger.

Although the event merely provided a glimpse into world hunger, it was a way DBU staff and faculty members could understand the issue better, DBU President Gary Cook said.

“It was a moving experience to host the world hunger luncheon for our faculty and staff at DBU,” he said.

The luncheon is part of Texas Hope 2010, an initiative that encourages Christians to pray for the people around them, care for those in need—especially hungry children—and share the gospel with every Texan by Easter 2010.

The DBU meal is the first time the CLC has undertaken this exercise with the staff of an institution. Paynter said she values the opportunity to influence people who are impacting the next generation.

“We are working with a campus to bring an experience to a group of leaders so they can have a vision for how to support world hunger and world hunger ministries,” she said. “This is really to spark the imagination of this group of leaders and in turn spark the next generation to action.”

Cook was so encouraged by the meal, he wants to hold a similar event for DBU students. It is one of several steps DBU is taking to tackle hunger.

“Soon we will be hosting similar meals with our student body,” he said. “The faculty and staff members at DBU will be able to encourage the students as we partner together with the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and Brother Bill’s Helping Hand to feed the hungry in the name of Jesus.”

Cook urged every Texas Baptist to fight hunger locally, across the state and around the world.

“I would encourage each and every Texas Baptist to take seriously the call to help the poor and feed the hungry by contributing to the Texas Baptist Offering for World Hunger ,” he said.