Why I launched a social enterprise?

Because of them.

Healing obesity and hunger at the same time- that’s Pounds for Poverty’s mission
It may seem strange to consider these two epidemic and catastrophic disasters in the same breath or same category. Really isn’t obesity and over eating just a matter of will power and determination to resolve? But then many feel that the poor and the hungry through their own efforts could rectify their situation also. From many perspectives they share a cultural belief that the problem is personal, individual and a matter of intention and effort to solve.
We don’t look at both that way. We assert that hunger and obesity or simply over consuming anything are cultural phenomena and that we can solve both in tandem. It is a curious paradox- that on one hand it is up to the individual to do their part in helping themselves and on the other hand it is also a much bigger problem than any individual can solve.
Our assertion is that hunger can be healed by the very same forces that are contributing significantly to the cause. In one big way, hunger is a redistribution problem- some have too much while many have too little. I know it is not that simple. Our insight is that by exchanging our tendency to over do (food, spending, alcohol, sugar) for converting the money to a donation to a charity fighting hunger like Second Harvest (our featured charity this quarter) the donor builds a foundation to change for the better. In a very real way everyone is better for the exchange and how often does that happen?
Our insight about the relationship between hunger and over consuming came out of personal experience. In my case, I have had a sincere desire to be of service to others for my whole lifetime. I have learned that one of the quickest ways to improve my positive feelings about myself is to give to something of value to the recipient. It makes me feel more self worth and improves my reputation with myself which has suffered mightily with over eating and weight gain.