We are blessed to live in a country where most people have access to three meals a day. This is not the case for the majority of the world's peoples. Many are lucky to receive ½ cup of rice a day. The Rich-Poor Meal activity allows students to see how the world’s food supply is divided. All students are invited to purchase a ticket for lunch. This ticket entitles them to an extended lunch period. Those participating are called to the designated area. As they enter, they are given a tag to distinguish them as a citizen of a certain country, then divided up the way the world is divided. Over half of the students represent third world countries, a small group second world countries, and a tiny few represent first world countries. Students are separated in the room and are fed according to their wealth. Third world citizens are placed on the floor, with water and small bowls of rice to share amongst the group. The second world students are given chairs but no table. They are each given small amounts of rice, broth, and bread for themselves. The First World students (1 or 2 max, less than 10% if the overall participants) are seated at a table with a nice spread of a various foods (sandwiches, fruit, cheese, veggies, soup and desserts). This event allows students to more fully understand how the world's goods and food are distributed. On their own, the first world students usually share their portions with school mates in the other countries. Extra food is always on hand (stored away). As they share, more is brought out so that in the end everyone has had a full meal. A good addition to this event is to invite a guest speaker from a poverty organization such as a local Child Poverty Network to speak to students about poverty in their community.

Graphic:
http://www.cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon