FEEDING INDIANA’S HUNGRY AND FEEDING AMERICA LAUNCH HUNGER ACTION MONTH
Governor Daniels Declares Next Week Hunger Action Week in Indiana
September 2, 2011—This September, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger relief organization, are encouraging Hoosiers from all walks of life to raise awareness for hunger relief. Hunger Action Month is a multi-faceted effort to mobilize the public to end hunger in the United States.
As shown by Feeding America’s recent study, Map the Meal Gap, one in six Americans suffer from hunger. Here in Indiana, 16% of people are food insecure. For Hoosier children, the numbers are even greater–one in four Hoosier children is food insecure.
Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture as the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.
In recognition of the state’s commitment to raising awareness of hunger, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry is pleased to announce that Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has declared September 4th through September 10th to be Hunger Action Week across the state.
“Hunger is real and impacts more Hoosiers than you might think,” said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. “The eleven member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry distributed nearly sixty million pounds of food last year, but the demand isn’t letting up. We need Hoosiers to be aware and take action in their local communities to help our neighbors facing hunger.”
The member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry are participating in Hunger Action Month in many ways. Some are participating in a nationwide Paper Plate Campaign to collect local messages from food assistance agencies to be read and delivered to members of Congress in Washington D.C. Some have designed a 30 Ways in 30 Days campaign to provide individuals exciting ways to participate in their community throughout September. All have volunteer events for the public to help provide food for those in need.
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and Feeding America are encouraging everyone to rally for hunger relief by doing three simple tasks this September: watch, share, and act.
- Simply visit www.hungeractionmonth.org, and watch the celebrity public service announcement (PSA) videos. Actors Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Taye Diggs, and Ana Ortiz have partnered with Feeding America to show that hunger is indeed closer than you think. Watch these celebrities portray an actual Feeding America client experiencing hunger.
- Secondly, share the PSAs through your social media spaces, such as Twitter, Facebook, or your personal blog. Our goal is to reach 1 million people through digital platforms.
- Lastly, and most importantly take action. By visiting www.hungeractionmonth.org, or Feeding America’s interactive map, discover hunger numbers in your area and act locally.
- Volunteer at your local Feeding America food bank or food pantry.
- Share hunger stats with your friends. Tweet, post, and blog about hunger in your area.
- Donate to Feeding America or the member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry. $1 donated helps Feeding America provide ten pounds of food and grocery products, or the equivalent of eight meals, to someone at risk of hunger.
To learn more about Hunger Action Month, please visit www.hungeractionmonth.org.
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About Feeding Indiana’s Hungry
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. is the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks (formerly America’s Second Harvest). Our eleven member food banks serve more than 1,700 agencies in all 92 counties, providing emergency food assistance to Hoosiers in need.
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. is the statewide association of Feeding America affiliated food banks (formerly America’s Second Harvest). Our eleven member food banks serve more than 1,700 agencies in all 92 counties, providing emergency food assistance to Hoosiers in need.
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. food banks statewide include:
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Gary
Food Bank of Northern Indiana, South Bend
Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., Lafayette
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Ft. Wayne
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, Inc., Muncie
Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Indianapolis
Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, Terre Haute
Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Bloomington
Tri-State Food Bank, Inc., Evansville
Dare to Care Food Bank, Louisville, KY
Freestore Foodbank, Cincinnati, OH
For more information on Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, Inc. contact Emily Weikert Bryant at 317/396-9355 or ewbryant@feedingindianashungry.org, or view our website at www.feedingindianashungry.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingIndianasHungry or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedINsHungry
About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.
