Businesses have a duty to do something about hunger.

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Kartar Khalsa For The Register-Guard

Last week, our state observed Hunger Awareness Week, and today, the entire country turns its attention to this critical issue as we recognize national Hunger Awareness Day.

There's a troubling trend in our country, with food banks nationwide experiencing a heightened need for food donations because of rising fuel prices, increasing health care costs and a weak economy.

With all our country is facing, focusing our attention on the vital issue of hunger in our community and our nation is more important than ever.

I believe that the purpose of business, by virtue of its very existence, is to serve. All businesses have the power, opportunity and responsibility to serve their communities, and, ultimately, make this world a better place. As those businesses grow and thrive, that responsibility becomes even greater.

That may sound trite, but imagine the impact on our nation and world if every Fortune 500 company donated 10 percent of its profits to good. Even 1 percent of profits dedicated to eliminating hunger would make a staggering impact. Just imagine the possibilities.

As a food manufacturer, it's Golden Temple's responsibility to help end hunger in our community and beyond. We've worked to leverage our relationships with manufacturers and suppliers and other food-related businesses over the years to maximize our impact.

As an example of this, we partnered with Grain Millers and Glory Bee Foods to manufacture and distribute Vanilla Crunchies, a nutritious cereal, through Food for Lane County to local schools to ensure that hungry children receive a reliable, nourishing breakfast. Children are our future - the key to good communities and a good society is to have healthy, well-educated children. A good diet is an essential element of a good education.

Now, as food banks around the nation face increased demand, we're ramping up our support of the Oregon Food Bank to lessen hunger's blow to our state. I'm proud to say that Golden Temple was among five food companies to receive recognition from Gov. Ted Kulongoski at an OFB event last week in Portland as part of Hunger Awareness Week.

Other companies recognized at that event for their efforts were Pacific Coast Fruits in Multnomah County; Farmers Ending Hunger in Boardman; Threemile Canyon Farms of Boardman; Walt's Wholesale Meats in Woodland, Wash., and Amy's Kitchen in Jackson County).

The governor highlighted creative and collaborative partnerships with OFB to put food on the tables of hungry Oregonians. He encouraged food companies that are already involved to boost their contributions, and he issued a challenge to those that haven't yet to join the fight against hunger in their communities.

Golden Temple has risen to that challenge. Over this next year, we've committed to provide 1.5 million servings of cereal through donations to the OFB Network. As we grow and become more successful, that gives us a greater ability to do more good for our communities and the world in general. We want to continually set higher goals for ourselves, which in turn nurtures our business and allows it to continue to grow.

I encourage other businesses and my fellow community members to join the fight against hunger.

Together, we can make a difference. Now is the time.

Kartar Khalsa is the chief executive officer of Golden Temple Products, a manufacturer of organic tea and natural and organic cereals based in Eugene.