Name: Kathleen Burks
Where do you go to school? University of Portland
Where are you working? The North Clackamas School District, in partnership with Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon
What song are you playing on repeat this semester? The Avett Brothers - Ain’t No Man
What’s your favorite part about being a Youth Ambassador?
Getting to do something meaningful and impactful during the summer. I’m excited to actually get out and work with kids!
Why are you passionate about ending hunger?
I heard a quote this week, “Hunger is not caused by a scarcity of food, but by a scarcity of democracy.” -Frances Moore Lappé. Hunger is something we have the resources and capability to solve and it’s crazy that in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, there is still so many people going hungry. It’s just a matter of getting more people united in conquering this issue.
What’s one thing you have learned this Summer?
It’s only been a couple of weeks so far, but i’ve learned that with a big enough effort, we can make a difference. Last year, there was a nation-wide decrease in Summer Meals, but we saw a growth in North Clackamas last summer. This is proof that collaboration and outreach can provide meals to more and more people who need them.
What would you say to someone your age looking to get involved?
We definitely need all the help we can get! Just do a quick search for organizations in your area that are aimed at ending hunger and say that you’d like to volunteer. Young people are especially wanted because kids look up to us, we know how to have fun with kids, and we bring a lot of energy and a fresh perspective.
If you could tell the world one thing about hunger, what would you say?
Hunger is a human rights issue. As human beings, nobody should have to go hungry. There are enough resources on this planet that we can feed everyone, we just have to distribute those resources fairly and end food waste. This is an issue that we can solve if we work together and see the inhumanity of letting people go hungry.
