by Linda St.Cyr, Contributing Writer

Yum! Brands, Inc., the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, is well aware of the food crisis happening in Africa. Families in the Horn of Africa are suffering the effects of drought and war. Hunger and famine are at an all time high. Celebrities have called this plight in Africa, “the worst food crisis of the 21st century.” Yum! Brands, Inc. is attempting to make a difference by directing $1 million in funds from its World Hunger Relief global effort to help the United Nations World Food Programme feed those affected. 

Over 13 million people in the Horn of Africa have been affected by the food crisis. One of the worst droughts in history, conflict in the region, and over-population in refugee camps is making food a scarce commodity. The World Food Programme is trying to get food to those in need in  Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, and Somalia. 

Yum! CEO David Novak said of the companies actions, “The situation throughout the Horn of Africa is desperate,  and we all need to help.” 

Yum! Brands, Inc. is not only fighting hunger in Africa, but all over the world through the World Hunger Relief effort. The company's hunger relief efforts span 110 countries, 38,000 restaurants and more than a million employees and volunteers dedicated to raising awareness and funds for hunger-relief agencies.

While also battling hunger in the Horn of Africa the company is also helping the World Food Programme's hunger relief efforts in Hondoras, the second poorest country in Central America. 

More by Linda:

Brazil’s “Zero Hunger” Program Offers Hope for the War on Poverty Worldwide

Child Poverty: America's Rising Crisis

Soles4Souls: Over 300 Million Children are Without Shoes

World Humanitarian Day: Celebrating the Men and Women Making a Difference

by Linda St.Cyr, Contributing Writer

I had the pleasure of meeting two representatives of Soles4Soles at BlogHer ’11 in San Diego where I was able to learn more about the organization and what it stands for. Chris and Jeremy were two of the nicest guys, although guys were in limited supply at BlogHer, a girl could meet. You can see in their eyes how much the organization means to them and why the cause is so close to their hearts.

Since I don’t know when any of you will be able to meet Chris or Jeremy at an event, I decided I should tell you a little bit more about the organization and what they are doing to make a difference in the world today.

Soles4Souls, Inc. was founded by Wayne Esley in 2004 following the devastating tsunami that hit Southeast Asia. A picture of a single shoe washed ashore triggered an idea that would lead Esley to creating Soles4Souls, Inc. and help put shoes on over 15 million pairs of feet worldwide. 

Some might ask, “Why shoes?” The truth of the matter is that shoes can prevent infections, diseases, burns, and other injuries that could lead to health issues later in life. Soles4Souls “Why Shoes?” webpage sums up the importance of shoes especially for children, “With the number of children living in abject poverty and therefore surviving at a scavenger's existence, the feet are at tremendous risk as the child hunts for food or household items in garbage dumps, abandoned housing/construction areas, or while crossing through open sewer trenches and contaminated areas.”

The organization takes new and gently used shoes, cleans them up, and then delivers them to those in need. Soles4Souls has delivered over 15 million pairs of shoes domestically and internationally. Volunteers with the organization have delivered shoes to children and families in need in over 127 countries. 

Shoes are not the only concern for Esley and his volunteers. Clothing, toys, furniture and building materials are all items that can provide support to victims of natural disasters and those living in extreme poverty. Soles4Souls’ other two divisions, Clothes4Souls and Hope4Souls, focus on these efforts.

Visit Soles4Souls to find out how you can make a difference by cleaning out your closet, hosting a fundraiser or taking a trip to deliver shoes to those in need. 

More by Linda:

Brazil’s “Zero Hunger” Program Offers Hope for the War on Poverty Worldwide

Child Poverty: America's Rising Crisis

World Humanitarian Day: Celebrating the Men and Women Making a Difference

Yum! Brands, Inc. Fights Hunger in Africa with $1M

by Linda St.Cyr, Contributing Writer

Brazil is giving hope to the world by leading in the war on poverty. The country has seen dramatic changes over the years in how many people are going hungry. In 2003 over 17 million Brazilians were living in extreme poverty. That number dropped to nine million in 2009. It still means that nine million people are living in poverty, but it also means that the social programs being used to combat poverty and hunger are working.

The new Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Jose Graziano da Silva, was previously a food security minister for Brazil. He was also one of the creators of the nation’s “Zero Hunger” social programs. One of the programs is “Bolsa Familia” or “Family Grant” which gives money directly to poor households. Graziano has stated that one of his first priorities for the FAO is to eradicate hunger.

“Bolsa Familia” is the social program that can be credited with helping Brazil’s extreme poverty numbers drop. Graziano believes that the “Zero Hunger” programs should be a model for other nations. According to Fox News Latino, Graziano believes that the “strong institutional framework” including the right to food in Brazil’s constitution and working closely with civic groups are the strength behind Zero Hunger.

Graziano stated, “These two pillars are what make the Brazilian program so attractive for the world.”

Last year it was estimated that 925 million people worldwide suffered from malnutrition, hunger, and poverty by the U.N. food program. A fear that the numbers are already on the rise due to the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa, rising food prices globally, and economic collapses is well founded. The social program initiatives under “Zero Hunger” should be a great starting point for governments all over the world to give hope to those living in extreme poverty.

Some of the initiatives under “Zero Hunger” include “Bolsa Familia”, job training for women, support for small farmers, and running restaurants that serve 50-cent meals. 

More by Linda:

Child Poverty: America's Rising Crisis

Soles4Souls: Over 300 Million Children are Without Shoes

World Humanitarian Day: Celebrating the Men and Women Making a Difference

Yum! Brands, Inc. Fights Hunger in Africa with $1M