Every September, organizations fighting hunger come together to raise national awareness and encourage communities to take action to end hunger.
Here are some practical ways you can take action this month.
- Learn the Latest Facts About Hunger
Food insecurity is a problem for 34 million people in the United States and 70,000 people in our 10 mile service area around The Friendship Center.
How many people in your community are facing hunger today? Check out Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap tool to inform yourself about food insecurity around you.
- Share About People Facing Hunger With the People Around Your Table
Engage with the people at your dinner table, whether it be your family, friends, roommates, or neighbors, about our nation’s issue with food insecurity. We’ll share insights and education on our newsletter and social platforms about people facing hunger throughout the month.
If you have children in your household, it is important to share about people facing hunger and help them build empathy for their neighbors who are food insecure. Help your family visualize hunger by using the following prompt:
- What does it feel like to be hungry?
- What would you do if you couldn’t eat for a whole day?
- What things might be harder to do while hungry?
Work together to draw or write a story of someone who is facing hunger. If more direction is needed, ask a question, such as: How would you feel if you had to go the entire school year without breakfast or lunch?
- Volunteer at Your Local Food Pantry
You can volunteer a few hours each week and play a critical role in ending hunger for your neighbors. Some volunteer activities include sorting, bagging, distribution, client intake, dinner prep, cooking, packing meals to go, and home delivery. Additionally, volunteers are needed to help work special events like the Farmer’s Market, Oktoberfestiversary, Mayfestiversary, etc. We have a role for any level of skillset and availability.
Sign up for volunteer opportunities at The Friendship Center on our website.
- Organize a Food Drive
The number of people facing hunger in our community has grown this summer. Hosting a food drive helps keep our shelves stocked with non-perishable food and hygiene supplies. The process is simple, check out our food drive toolkit to get started.
- Donate to End Hunger
Our neighbors rely on your generosity and partnership to foster hope and dignity through access to food and vital resources. $50 a month can feed a family of four and this month you can double your impact* thanks to a generous matching fund from John and Erin Telford.
*All gifts up to $3,000 will be matched.