How does an organization gauge where the greatest needs are at? What is the best way to prioritize when resources are limited?

That is the challenge facing many local community groups and charitable organizations as summer approaches and they look for missionary work or ways they can make a difference or help those in need.

Many times groups look thousands and thousands of miles away to third world countries where the citizens do not have some of the basic essentials that most Americans take for granted. Alternately, some look to help here within our shores in areas like Joplin, Mo., New Orleans or Alabama, where residents have been hit with natural disasters or other hardships.

These are absolutely important projects because we must not ever turn our back on human beings in need.

However, we challenge all community groups and charitable organizations not to forget about the needs right here at home.

Many of the same problems in those places are much closer than some would like to believe. Hunger. Lack of shelter. Inability to get needed medical care. Lack of support systems for families. This is just a few.

Churches, civic groups, charitable organizations and, as cliché as it may sound, individuals simply looking to make the world a better place all have an opportunity to change the world on a global — and local — level this summer.