Hunger 01

Do you know what real hunger is? Have you ever wondered if you'll eat today, or tomorrow, or even next week? Nearly 50 million Americans wake up every day wondering if they will have enough to eat. One out of every 8 people in Illinois need help from a food pantry just to get by.

Those statistics are shocking. Those facts are shameful. This is America, the richest country on Earth. Why is there so much hunger? What can WE do to fix this?

We can do two things.

First, we can work to elect leaders who care about the poor and the hungry, and who recognize our collective responsibility to ensure a life of dignity for every American. That's what makes us Democrats.

Second, we can help the hungry by supporting local food pantries and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. If you really believe in social and economic justice, there is no better way to prove it than by helping to make life a little better for your neighbors in need. That's what makes us human.

I've decided to help raise awareness of this issue by fasting for 10 days. I haven't had anything to eat since the morning of Wednesday April 4, and I won't eat again until the evening of Saturday, April 14. I'll be posting a daily video blog during my fast, and I will use that as an opportunity to tell you more about the problem of hunger in America.

April 14 is also the evening of the Democratic Party's Thomas Jefferson Dinner. Our keynote speaker will be Pete Schaefer, the president and CEO of the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

I hope you will join us. Supporting our party's mission is one of the most important things you can do. Thank you.

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