ON THE EVE OF A FEAST, SCENES OF HUNGER

THE PHOTOGRAPHS most of us will take this Thanksgiving will be of our happy - and full - families.

Today we're publishing a different set of photos: images taken by mothers struggling to feed their families. The photo you see on this page and the images on Page 19 are of hungry children, and scenes from the lives of their families. They're part of a project called Witness to Hunger, the brainchild of Dr. Mariana Chilton, assistant professor of public health at the Drexel University.

More than a year ago, she provided digital cameras to more than 40 women with young children in Philadelphia to record their experience with hunger and poverty. But it was also to tap into their ideas for change, since too often, policies and programs are designed without the input of the people most affected.

The women took pictures and wrote about their experience. What follows are their own words and images of what it's like to struggle to give their children enough to eat. While most of the women rely on food stamps, WIC and Medicaid to make ends meet, the majority of them are also working. But like so many, they don't make enough money to be self-sufficient. Each of these children presents a good reason to focus on the issue of hunger, but a tough economy and other reasons make this an important issue right now. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report that found 49 million Americans unable to find enough food to eat.

Last week, Sen. Bob Casey began a statewide tour of the exhibit of the Witness to Hunger images as part of his efforts to bring attention to child nutrition. Meanwhile, the recent food drive by the Philadelphia Inquirer now includes the Daily News, and is still accepting food donations at our building (400 No. Broad St.). *