Last Updated on September 9, 2017 by cassnetwork
This September Food Finders Food Bank, together with the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, will mobilize across all 50 states in an effort to bring an end to hunger. Hunger Action Month is designed to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of the fact that 42 million Americans, including 13 million children, are food insecure, according to the USDA.
In North Central Indiana, more than 79,000 people struggle with hunger and may not know where they’ll find their next meal. That number includes one in five kids who may not have enough to eat.
September marks the tenth year the Feeding America network of food banks has organized this annual call to action and eighth year the Food Finders has participated in the Hunger Action Month movement. This year the campaign will focus on the strong connections between hunger and health.
The Hunger Action Month 2017 campaign asks people to consider how it must feel to live with an empty stomach, which puts a healthy life and a promising future at risk.
“Hunger Action Month is important because it raises awareness of those in need in our communities. In spite of improving economic indicators, 19% of the children in the Food Finders’ service area are food insecure,” said Katy Bunder, President/CEO of Food Finders. “When children lack enough healthy food to reach their full potential; they cannot grow, succeed or learn. Hunger jeopardizes the future of our country.”
“I’ve spent many days on the road this past year, visiting food banks, food pantries, and meal programs and meeting people who are facing hunger,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. “I’ve seen firsthand the anguish that food insecurity and hunger can cause. It is always heartbreaking to meet a mother or father who fears that they will not be able to feed their children. They know that their children cannot reach their full potential if they don’t have enough to eat.”
Hunger Action Day®, the second Thursday in September, is a day where efforts across the country are focused for greater impact.
This year, on September 14, Food Finders asks supporters to share what they couldn’t do without adequate nutrition by writing on an empty plate, “On an empty stomach I can’t ______,” and filling in the blank with something they couldn’t achieve without the nutrition we need to thrive.
These photos can be posted to social media with #HungerActionMonth, @FoodFinders and @FeedingAmerica to join the conversation.
In Greater Lafayette, Food Finders has many activities planned to engage the community in hunger relief and awareness building, including:
⦁ Food Finders booth at the West Lafayette Farmers Market on 9/13, 9/20, & 9/27 – Wednesdays from 3:30 – 7 pm, Cumberland Park
⦁ Nourish & Knowledge Luncheon with Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH) Executive Director Emily Weikert Bryant – Topic: The Benefits of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) and Debunking Food Stamp Myths on Thursday, 9/14 at Food Finders at 11:30 am, lunch provided by Great Harvest Bread Co.
⦁ Hunger Hike 5K Run on Saturday, 9/16 at White Horse Christian Center at 8 am.
⦁ 25th Annual Hunger Hike on Sunday, 9/17 at Riehle Plaza at noon.
“With the combined effort of Feeding America, the nationwide network of food banks and hunger advocates across the country, the goal of this campaign is to raise awareness about hunger and inspire Americans to get involved,” Aviv said. “The Feeding America network is leading the fight to end hunger in the U.S. We all have a role to play in getting food to our neighbors in need. Advocate. Educate. Volunteer. Donate.”
To learn more about Food Finders Food Bank and other ways you can get involved for Hunger Action Month in Greater Lafayette please visit food-finders.org/hunger-action-month or HungerActionMonth.org.
SOURCE: News release from Food Finders