The issue in the Gospel is sending people away to the village so they can buy food vs. feeding them where they are, free. As Jesus says "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."
The issue of hunger is wrapped up in the concept of Food Insecurity. Food insecurity is the most broadly-used measure of food deprivation in the United States. The USDA defines food insecurity as meaning “consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year. Food insecurity is not “the government’s definition of hunger." It is based on the household and not the individual and measured over a year. It only refers to lack of food access based on financial and other material resources not the availability of grocery stores or other markets.
In Caroline County the percentages affected by Food Insecurity have improved from 2009 to 2012 (2014 will be out later ) from 13.2% of the population to 11.6% while the average cost of a meal is up. We would expect some improvement with the gradual improvement of the economy
Feeding is done through the common efforts of many others. Note that Jesus, when feeding the five thousand, passed out the food in the hands of the disciples.
At St. Peter’s besides donations to Caroline Services, we have fed them where they are and with help of many through the Community Dinner program. Here is the history through numbers from 2011-2013. That program was funded by Mustard Seed grant during most of the period:
The Newsletter for July 2014 provides synopsis of where we are .
"The number one focus for many people is on how we can better provide food to people in the Port Royal area. Our hope is coordinate with other churches and groups in the area as we develop a plan.
"With the lack of a local grocery store, food and especially fresh produce is not always readily available or affordable for many in this area.
"In addition to continuing periodic Community Dinners, we are looking into ways of broadening our food ministry in this area. Some ideas include developing a local food pantry, gleaning and distributing produce that is gleaned, and developing a program that would specifically help feed children whose families can’t afford to buy extra food during the summer months when school is out.
"Meanwhile, we are continuing to collect food for the Caroline Department of Social Services food pantry and your donations are needed and welcome."