September is Hunger Action Month

LOGAN – The Southeast Ohio Foodbank and Kitchen is reminding everyone that September is Hunger Action Month. In a Thursday media release the foodbank said more than 50 million people in the U.S. face hunger without a enough fod to put on the table. The 2013 Hunger Action Month theme is “Together, We Can Solve Hunger”.

“We all want a better region, where our communities are strong, smart, healthy, and able to put their creativity and intelligence toward our better future. Food is one of our most basic needs. Food is also medicine, energy, community and hope,” said foodbank Director Tracy Galway.

Galway said that access to a stable source of nutritious food is such a basic and critical, yet too often missing, component of a healthy life. The 12 Ohio foodbanks, in partnership with their member pantries and other organizations, are working with the Feeding America nationwide network of foodbanks to raise awareness of this critical issue and take action during the month of September, as part of the national Hunger Action Month.

“Hunger Action Month is an opportunity to join a movement that has a real and lasting impact on our effort to feed people in SE Ohio. As individuals, charities, businesses and government, we all have a role to play in getting food to those in need. Whether it’s by advocating and raising awareness, making donations, or volunteering, there are many ways to make a difference during Hunger Action Month,” Tracy said. “We're asking everyone to join us, to help solve hunger on behalf of the 52,000 people in southeast Ohio or one in 6 including over 18,500 children under age 18, nearly one in three, that struggle with hunger.”

Galway said there are many ways community members can get involved and to help solve hunger in the region: 

• Participate in Hunger Action Day and Go Orange. on Sept. 5, signifying the kick off of a month-long effort to raise awareness for hunger-relief. Express your support by wearing orange! Take a picture of you and your business or group in orange and post to the foodbanks Facebook page. Show your support online as well by turning your Facebook and Twitter profile orange; “Like” us on Facebook, stay informed, and share our status updates. 

• Donate to the Southeast Ohio Foodbank in time and resources. When you support the Foodbank, you are supporting the fight against hunger in our region and the 10 county network of over 60 foodbank member agencies. For every $1 you donate, you provide up to three meals to those in need. 

• Round up your grocery bill at your local Kroger.  When you round up at the register, your donation comes directly to the Foodbank!  Also, designate the foodbank for Community Rewards on your Kroger Plus Shopper Card.

• Attend and connect with the food bank at the Open House, Sept. 24, 5-7 p.m. which will include tours, opportunities to volunteer packing food boxes, and opportunities to learn more about how you can get involved in “Feeding Southeast Ohio.”

• Ask your member of Congress and other elected officials to visit the Foodbank and send a Paper Plate message to them through our Facebook page. Write on a blank paper plate about one of the below questions, then take a picture with their plate and post it on the Facebook page.

1. Why is working together to solve hunger important to you?
2. How does the prevalence of hunger in SE Ohio make you feel?
3. What would you say to others to encourage them to take part in the fight against hunger?

• Pledge to take the SNAP Challenge and live on just $4.50 a day. Get a sense of what life is like for those struggling to put food on the table by shopping for your meals with the daily average per person benefit provided by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps.

• Volunteer and stay in touch with us to be an on-going part of the solution to end hunger. 

Indivuduals, groups and businesses can call (740) 385-6813 for information on volunteer and donation information.

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