My Christmas Day column in the Cleveland Plain Dealer: Operation Reindeer!

Way back in 1953, Santa Claus took a little time out of his busy schedule to help a new president of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower. We hear a lot about presidential appointments these days. Well, that year it was Santa who was called to action by the president.

The holiday season inspired “Operation Reindeer,” Eisenhower’s plan to send Christmas food packages to hungry people around the world

See my full article in the Christmas Day Plain Dealer (page E2).

Wichita Eagle Oped: Food could be America’s greatest Christmas gift

On Christmas Eve night in 1947, President Harry Truman proudly talked about America’s most noble tradition: feeding the hungry. Truman said, “The great heart of the American people has been moved to compassion by the needs of those in other lands who are cold and hungry.”

Just days before, Truman signed legislation to provide food to European countries suffering in the aftermath of World War II.

Citizens donated as well, giving food to the Friendship Train, which collected goods for Europe.
Hungry children in France would be having school lunches again because of America’s generosity.
As we celebrate the holidays, we should remember America’s great calling to help those in need whether at home or abroad.

See my guest column in the December 25 Wichita Eagle (page 7A) or online at Kansas.com

Food for Peace aids earthquake victims in Ecuador

The United States Food for Peace program is coming to the aid of earthquake victims in Ecuador. An initial donation of half a million dollars is helping the UN World Food Programme feed those displaced by the 7.8 magnitude quake.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Food for Peace to the rescue in Iraq

Iraqis displaced by the war with ISIS are desperate for food. The United States Food for Peace program has come through again to help these war victims.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ike's Food for Peace to the Rescue in Syria

A program started by President Dwight Eisenhower is a lifeline today for Syria’s war victims. The U.S. Food for Peace initiative is feeding millions of hungry Syrians affected by the brutal civil war.

Last week, Food for Peace made a $65 million donation through the UN World Food Programme (WFP) for Syria. It came just in the nick of time. WFP was about to cut its food aid to Syrian refugees because of low funds. Even with the donation, WFP still cannot restore full rations, showing how much more needs to be done.

Read the full article at The Huffington Post.

Food for Peace reaches Aden, Yemen

The United States Food for Peace program is taking action to help war victims in Yemen. A UN-chartered ship carrying supplies from Food for Peace arrived last week in the port city of Aden.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Eisenhower's Food for Peace at work in Ukraine

The war in the Ukraine has created a hunger emergency for thousands of civilians. A program started way back by President Dwight Eisenhower has started coming to the rescue.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Congress Must Hear the Cries of Hunger From Abroad

As Congress debates the foreign aid budget, they should hear the cries of hunger from abroad. They should also listen to the echoes of history.

In fact, one of these came at a recent congressional hearing on the foreign aid budget, which included activists Ben Affleck and Bill Gates. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) mentioned the 1948 Marshall Plan, which rebuilt Europe and won the peace after World War II.

Read my full commentary at The Huffington Post.