My friend Bill, who leads Lemonade International, has written a really thoughtful essay on a government-run food distribution program in Guatemala called Bolsa Solidaria, or Bag of Solidarity. Food insecurity and malnutrition are huge problems in the country, and this program is intended to address those needs. But as you’ll see, there’s another side to it:

The motivation for and means of distributing food to the poor and most vulnerable in Guatemala raises serious concerns. Using food distribution to coerce the poor for personal and political gain is an injustice of the highest order. Food, water, shelter and clothing are basic human necessities and to use promises of any of these as manipulation by people in positions of power should not be tolerated by a just society, and should not be dismissed by followers of Jesus under the banner of a greater good.

I encourage you to read the whole piece, and definitely learn more about the work Lemonade International is doing in the La Limonada slum community in Guatemala City. And if you’re so inclined, please consider a donation to the Lemonade Stand that Katie and I set up for our wedding. We’re 83% of the way to our goal of $1,000 with 24 days to go!