This September, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank along 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 48 million Americans, including 15 million children, are food insecure, according to the USDA.
In the 8-counties served by the Foodbank, one in seven people will struggle with hunger this year. That number includes nearly one in four kids who may not have enough to eat.
“September is an opportunity for all hunger-relief advocates to take simple steps towards supporting those facing hunger,” said Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “We are eager to rally around Hunger Action Month as we continue our fight to solve this issue.”
This year the campaign will focus on the strong connections between hunger and health. According to the Feeding America study, Hunger in America 2014, nearly half of households served by the Feeding America network include someone that is in either fair or poor health.
“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.”
Here’s how you can take action this September:
- Turn Orange on Hunger Action Day: Wear orange, the color of hunger relief, on September 8, 2016 to show your support for Hunger Action Month. Make sure to share a picture of your orange style with @ACRFoodbank using the hashtag #HungerAction and #ACRFB.
- Volunteer at Operation Orange: Join the Foodbank for its fourth annual 24-hour volunteer event, Operation Orange September 9-10, 2016. Night owl volunteers are still needed! If you’re interested, please sign up at oporange.com.
- Advocate: The Foodbank needs your help throughout the year as it advocates for important policy issues that impact people facing with hunger. Please visit the Foodbank’s website to sign up for action alerts.
To learn more about the Foodbank and other ways you can get involved for Hunger Action Month in Northeast Ohio please visit akroncantonfoodbank.org or HungerActionMonth.org.