What You Can Do During Hunger Action Month This Year
Though it may be surprising, today in the United States, more than 38 million people face food insecurity. (That’s about 11% of the US population). This includes 12 million children facing hunger, which means “1 in 6 children in America worry about their next meal.” The pandemic has only worsened these challenges, and many families have been forced to make an impossible choice between food or needed medicines and other essentials.
Because of this, thousands of hard-working volunteers in the Feeding America network are striving to provide hunger relief.
September is Hunger Action Month, and while hunger in America may feel like an overwhelming challenge, there are several actions you can take to help your community members.
What is Food Insecurity and what causes it?
Food insecurity is a lack of consistent access to nutritious food for every household member. Food insecurity is temporary for some and long-lasting for others. Many factors that lead a family to face food insecurity, including:
- poverty and unemployment;
- chronic health conditions or challenges with accessing affordable healthcare;
- lack of access to grocery stores, especially in Food Deserts;
- and a lack of affordable housing.
It is also important to consider who food insecurity impacts most. According to Feeding America, “hunger in African American, Latino, and Native American communities is higher because of systemic racial injustice.” Hunger in America will never be solved without assessing its root causes.
Food waste is also an essential part of the issue. In 2010 alone, 133 billion pounds of food was thrown away. Hunger should not exist when so much good, nutritious food is wasted.
Food insecurity is a complex issue that requires thoughtful and considerate solutions involving food banks, community members, and volunteers. How can you play a part in the solution?
What does Feeding America do and how can you help?
Feeding America is a nonprofit organization that has been combatting the hunger crisis for over 40 years, and today is the largest hunger-relief organization in the country. Partnering with over 200 food banks and 60,000 meal programs, Feeding America has helped deliver 6.6 billion meals.
Here are several actions you can take this month to help your neighbors facing hunger.
Raise Awarness
Talk to your friends about hunger in America and use social media as a platform for discussion. Encourage your friends and family to participate in Hunger Action Day (September 23). Start a fundraiser for your local food bank or for Feeding America.
Find a food bank near you.
Consider donating your time and talents to helping your local food pantries and meal programs. Use Feeding America’s Food Bank Finder to easily see which food banks are near you.
Start a food drive.
A food drive encourages all community members to come together and stock the shelves of a local food bank. Can’t do it in person? You can also host a virtual food drive.
Start or get involved with a community garden.
Community gardening is a great way to bring fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables to any urban, rural, or suburban community. Small-scale gardening is one of many solutions that gets to the root of food security. See what community gardens are near you.
How True Citrus and Feeding America Work Together
In 2014, True Citrus partnered with Feeding America and still continues to make a difference today. Thanks to our customers, we have helped deliver over 8 million meals.
Each True Citrus box has a unique code that can be entered here on our website. 1 code=1 meal. We’ve delivered millions of meals together so far, and you can help us deliver 1 million more.
1. Find the 10-digit UPC code starting with “10979” on the bottom of the box.
2. Enter the code on our website. If you’re entering multiple codes, they should be separated by a comma.
3. For every code entered, True Citrus will donate the cost for Feeding America to supply 1 meal through its network of local food banks.
4. Help end hunger in your own community. Find out more about how you can get involved at Feeding America's website.
