TRAVERSE CITY -- Instead of eating out, three area women invite the community to a potluck that will help alleviate hunger -- both in the region and across the globe.
Jody Treter, Juliette Schultz and Kima Kraimer are throwing the event Thursday evening to commemorate the International Celebration of Girls. Championed by The Hunger Project, an international non-governmental organization, this celebration included last week's 10th National Girl Child Day in Bangladesh.
Half a world away, people sharing a meal in Traverse City -- donating the money instead of dining out -- will help both the Father Fred Foundation and The Hunger Project as proceeds will be split 50-50. Attendees may also bring non-perishable food items for the Father Fred Foundation's food pantry.
"Hunger is still an issue even locally, not just an international issue but local food pantries and food kitchens are really stretched," said Kraimer, adding that the potluck is not only to make a donation but also enables attendees to build community by sharing homemade food together.
A little networking enrolled these three women into making a difference both locally and globally.
Traverse City native Carol Coonrod is a staff member with The Hunger Project and before that a longtime supporter. Visiting Traverse City this summer, she got together with Denise Busley, owner of the Grand Traverse Pie Company. Busley knew of Coonrod's work and invited Treter and Kraimer to join them.
Over slices of pie an outreach was born.
"If we touch one person then that's a success," said Treter, co-owner of the Higher Grounds Trading Company in Traverse City.
The Hunger Project, which is based in New York City, is dedicated to "empowering men and women to end their own hunger." Working in African, South Asian and Latin American countries, among The Hunger Project's key initiatives is celebrating girl children in Bangladesh.
The Hunger Project's advocacy for girls is a natural extension of the effort to end hunger, noted Coonrod. Launching Girl Child Day in Bangladesh ten years ago is a part of that. The day now includes more than a thousand events held throughout that country.
"If we were really serious about ending hunger in South Asia, India and Bangladesh, we really need to confront the subjugation of women," she said. "Because women are primarily responsible for everything that relates to the well-being of their family: education, food, safety. Because they're so marginalized and have no voice, we really need to address that."
The Hunger Project also takes an innovative stance in the countries where it works. Instead of bringing in experts to dictate to local officials and families, the organization taps local leaders and residents who know the situation best.
"What The Hunger Project does is really focus on restoring people's sense of dignity and self-worth," Coonrod said. "It's different than the usual approach of going over and doing something for someone."
Coonrod drew a direct link between her high school days at then Traverse City Senior High and her commitment to the cause of ending hunger. The root of inspiration was her humanities teacher, Walter Oberline.
"He introduced us to 'Don Quixote' and dreaming the impossible dream," she recalled. "That so touched me. The Hunger Project resonated with me because so many people say that ending hunger in the world seems like an impossible dream and it's not."
The potluck will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Barn at the Children's House, 5363 North Long Lake Road. A donation of $20-$50 and/or non-perishable food items will be accepted. Bring and label a dish to pass; drinks provided. Also bring a wish or blessing for either a specific girl or girls in general to be shared at the event. For more information, contact Jody Treter at jodytreter@gmail.com or 342-0696.
For more information on The Hunger Project, see www.thp.org. For more information on the Father Fred Foundation, call 947-2055 or see www.fatherfredfoundation.com.
Print this story
E-mail this story
