Poverty Alleviation: Where do we start?

We can all do something: skip a meal, do without new gadgets, simplify our lifestyles, eat fewer meals in restaurants, buy clothes from recycle shops. I think the word I hear is, "Just do something!"

"How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need, and yet refuses to help."
                1 John 3:17-18