HELPING HANDS NEWSLETTER
Winter 2025 • Volume 17, Number 4
Coming to the Defense of SNAP
BGR co-founder and chair Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi addresses some of the pitfalls that the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” creates for food insecure families living in the United States. He argues that, as people of conscience, we can’t rip plates away from the hands of hungry families. Rather, we must call on our representatives to reverse this heartless bill and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food.
Support for Children Orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania
The Save Their Dreams project from BGR partner Mercy World Organization provides school uniforms and supplies, health insurance, school lunches, counseling, and other support to some of Tanzania's most vulnerable children.
A Walk to Feed the Hungry in Portland, Oregon
On November 15, 2025, Portland (Oregon) Friends of the Dhamma hosted the first in-person Walk to Feed the Hungry that has been held in the U.S. since the Covid pandemic compelled BGR to move our annual fundraiser to an online space. The Walk, which also benefited the Portland hunger relief nonprofit Urban Gleaners, was a great success and an inspiring community-building event.
BGR Joins Symposium on Human Dignity at Jewish Theological Seminary
This interfaith conference explored the theme of “Upholding Human Dignity in Turbulent Times.” At the event, BGR founder and chair Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi gave a presentation on a panel on the subject of “Hunger, Displacement, and Civilian Suffering.”
BGR Community: A Smallholder Farmer in Malawi
Farms in Maria’s town in Malawi are failing due to climate shocks and soil degradation caused by industrialized farming. Through training provided by BGR partner Ecology Action, Maria has learned sustainable agriculture techniques to improve yields while conserving resources.
Buddhist Action to Feed the Hungry 2025: Transforming Compassion Into Action
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, BGR founder and chair Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi hosted the 2025 Buddhist Action to Feed the Hungry Online Gathering, “Transforming Compassion Into Action”. A celebration of our shared commitment and community, the event featured Dharma talks and guided meditations from Buddhist monastics and lay teachers as well as introductions to BGR’s work to relieve the suffering of chronic hunger and poverty worldwide.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Buddhist Global Relief funds projects providing food, education, and other necessary support to the world’s most vulnerable people. Many of the communities we serve worldwide are experiencing hunger and malnutrition due to deeply entrenched poverty, systemic inequality, and environmental degradation. If you have the ability to help, please consider making a donation to BGR. You can contribute by PayPal or credit card here or by check mailed to our secured Chase Bank lockbox at: Buddhist Global Relief, P.O. Box 24832, New York, NY 10087-4832 USA. Please continue to send all other mail to: Buddhist Global Relief, 2020 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512, USA.
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