Baton Rouge

           The murder of more police officers yesterday in Baton Rouge shocks but no longer surprises. Horrific incidents of violence – Orlando, Dallas, Nice and twice Baton Rouge  - come closer and closer together, leaving us seemingly powerless to prevent them.  Social media is filled with calls to stop the violence and pray for peace, but we know words and prayers will not be enough.

When the President spoke yesterday afternoon he urged that everyone “focus on words and actions that can unite this country rather than divide it further.”  At Share Our Strength we are privileged, as are many nonprofit organizations, to be in the business of taking actions that unite.  The deep divisions plaguing us can only be diminished by sharing: compassion, resources, opportunity, justice, and strengths.  Such sharing requires faith, but the alternative is unfathomable. Our anti-hunger, anti-poverty, and community building work has always mattered deeply both to those we serve, and to those for whom we’ve created opportunities to serve. In the days ahead it matters even more.