NEW YORK – In today’s increasingly globalized society, it is difficult to not be aware of or involved in some type of social activism. Furthermore, hunger charities are popping up and booming all around the globe, making it difficult to determine which are the most effective and worthy of attention and support. Compiling results from sources such as ABC News, Charity Watch and Charity Navigator, this list presents the top 6 charities fighting to end global hunger. Honorable mentions are noted at the end.
1. Action Against Hunger (AAH)– USA
An internationally focused organization, Action Against Hunger targets the prevention and treatment of malnutrition. “From crisis to sustainability,” says the charities mission statement, “we tackle the underlying causes of malnutrition and its effects by using our expertise in nutrition, food security, water and sanitation, health and advocacy.”
AAH received an A rating from Charity Watch and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
2. Bread for the World Institute (BFWI)
A faith-based organization, BFWI tackles world hunger from a political standpoint. The charity “provides policy analysis on hunger and strategies to end it. BFWI educates its advocacy network, opinion leaders, policy makers and the public about hunger in the United States and abroad,” according to the group’s mission. BFWI utilizes empowerment through education to affect change and strive toward ending world hunger.
BFWI received an A from Charity Watch and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
3. Freedom from Hunger
Freedom from Hunger approaches hunger alleviation from a development and sustainability vantage point. According to its mission statement, the charity “combines microfinance with health and education services to equip very poor families to improve their incomes, safeguard their health and achieve lasting food security.” Based in California, Freedom from Hunger has been operating for roughly 70 years.
This charity received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator and an A from Charity Watch.
4. The Hunger Project (THP)
“Empowering Men and Women to End Their Own Hunger” is the powerful mission statement of this charity. Targeting Africa, Asia and Latin America, THP focuses on establishing self-reliance and sustainable practices amongst those living in hunger and poverty. THP utilizes three main strategies, according to their site: “mobilizing village clusters at the grassroots level to build self-reliance, empowering women as key change agents, and forging effective partnerships with local government.”
The Hunger Project received an A from Charity Watch and a 3-start rating from Charity Navigator.
5. Food Bank for New York City
Operating in America’s largest metropolis, this charity tackles hunger throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The Food Bank targets low-income individuals and focuses on “direct services, food sourcing and distribution, nutrition and health education, financial empowerment, disaster relief and policy and research,” states the group’s mission. The Food Bank was established in 1983 and has distributed food to approximately 1,000 food assistance programs throughout the city.
The Food Bank received an A- from Charity Navigator and 4-star rating from Charity Watch.
6. Heifer International
Heifer International seeks to alleviate hunger through empowerment and the supply of livestock to impoverished families around the globe. Since its conception in 1944, the organization has provided more than 15.5 million families with cows, goats, chickens and other livestock they need to escape hunger and poverty. The charity’s “Passing on the Gift” program in which project participants hand down the first female offspring of their livestock to another participant builds community and encourages program participants to train each other in sustainable practices.
Heifer International received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Other notable hunger charities include Feeding America, Food for the Hungry and Meals on Wheels.
– Mallory Thayer
Sources: Charity Watch, ABC News, About.com, Charity Navigator
Photo: Heifer