It is no longer surprising to see, in July or August, Halloween paraphernalia alongside school supplies on the store shelves, or Valentine's decorations on display at the post-Christmas sales. I have always tried to ignore these "push the season" gambits and live in the moment.

Today, however, I find myself uncharacteristically wanting to prepare for Thanksgiving well in advance. I don't mean gathering recipes for pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce, but creating a plan for insuring the season is about more than what we put on our own dining room tables.

As members of the global community, the body of Christ, the human race, it is our responsibility to recognize and help alleviate the food shortage problem of those who do not have enough. Creative, caring minds --- in our schools, parishes, clubs and businesses --- can help. For example:

---In agricultural regions, launch a food drive that would bring extra supplies to the migrant workers seen every day working in fields along freeways and back roads.

---Adopt specific families in need in the community with the intention of filling their cupboards with food.

---Assist food-sharing groups in your community by filling the bags they distribute to needy families every week.

And, if you still need help, check out Bread for the World, a non-partisan Christian organization claiming nearly 60,000 members including 2,500 churches representing diverse theological viewpoints. It is their belief that citizenship is one of our greatest resources and should be offered up to God in service of the hungry and poor throughout the world.

Bread for the World focuses not on direct aid but on persuading Congress and government leaders to support programs to empower the poor and feed hungry people in the United States and across the world. Bread for the World offers sample letters to send to Congress, liturgy plans and prayers and educational material. The work is done for us. All we have to do is bring it to our parish, school or group.

Sunday, October 21 is designated as Bread for the World Sunday; it can also be extended to any time between World Food Day, which is October 16 and Thanksgiving Day, which is November 22 this year.

Among the basic material Bread for the World makes available to schools and churches are questions for children to discuss after reading Scripture-based reflections (a wonderful addition to a children's Liturgy of the Word), and simple prayers and liturgy suggestions for adults adaptable for any denominational service. A powerful homily, coordinated with educational material and time set aside within the liturgy to sign a letter to Congress, would certainly educate and motivate a parish community.

According to Bread for the World:

---More than 850 million people in the world go hungry.

---In developing countries, 11 million children die each year; 6 million are from hunger-related causes.

---In the United States, 12.4 million children live in households where people have to skip meals or eat less to make ends meet. That means one in ten households in the U.S. are living with hunger or are at risk of hunger.

Yet there is enough food in the world for everyone. As Bread for the World's website (www.bread.org) states:

"The financial costs to end hunger are relatively slight. The United Nations Development Program estimates that the basic health and nutrition needs of the world's poorest people could be met for an additional $13 billion a year. Animal lovers in the United States and Europe spend more than that on pet food each year."

The problem is getting aid to where it is needed; that takes personal and governmental action. We can start now, and be ready for the giving season to ensure that people across our city and world have enough food. And we can make it a year-round effort.

Anne Hansen is a member of the Camarillo Catholic community. Her e-mail address is familymail@aol.com.