We have a 3-year-old granddaughter whom we spend a day with every couple weeks. Frequently she will say “I’m hung-er-y.” Frequently. So we always take fruit and “O’s” and bread on our outings.

We just read that the poverty rate for children in the U.S. increased to 22 percent in 2010. Among children younger than 5, the poverty rate increased to 25.9 percent (5,467,000 children) according to the Bread for the World newsletter. Our granddaughter helps us grasp the particular reality of a hurting hungry child, and the pain a parent must feel when they have no bread or fruit when their child says, “I’m hung-er-y.”

Many religious traditions teach the “two feet” of ministry, that, just as it takes two feet to walk and keep our balance, it takes the two feet of justice and charity to respond to the needs of poverty. Justice is institutional change, fair tax policy, antipoverty policies in government. Charity is food banks and soup kitchens, clothing closets at schools.

So, food is gathered through food drives and given to food banks. But also letters are written to senators and legislators to urge the maintenance of programs such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and earned income and child tax credits.

As you give some canned food or a check to a food drive this holiday season, perhaps you will write a letter to Sens. Jeff Merkley or Ron Wyden, or to a house of representatives candidate, to urge them to join a circle of protection around the poor in our community. Bread.org is a wonderful resource to provide the facts and the guidance for making your voice heard.

When our granddaughter says “I’m hung-er-y,” we think that she is giving voice to all children and especially those who, by no fault of their own, live in poverty. May we all take two steps forward to help them.

JOHN and JACKIE WECKER

Astoria