By: Karen McTague—
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana, a member of the Feeding America® nationwide network of food banks, will observe Hunger Action MonthTM – a nationwide initiative designed to mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger and join the movement to help end hunger. Hunger advocates from East Central Indiana and across the country are working together this September to shine a light on the issue of hunger and the 1 in 6 people who face hunger in America – including Second Harvest’s 8-county service area – Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Jay, Henry, Jay, Madison and Wabash counties.
“One in six people, including 25,040 children in our service area struggle with hunger, and Second Harvest is eager to rally around Hunger Action Month as we continue our fight to solve this issue,” said Tim Kean, President & CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “Hunger is an issue that affects everyone – our child’s classmate, an office coworker or neighbor down the street. September is an opportunity for all hunger-relief advocates to take simple steps towards supporting those in need.”
The Feeding America network of food banks also is participating in the new SpoontemberTM online initiative. To get involved, supporters can share a ‘spoon selfie’ or video of themselves balancing a spoon on their nose – a utensil that is most often used to prepare and provide food for others – and challenge friends and family to join them to generate awareness of the 49 million Americans who may not know where they’ll find their next meal. Here is some sample copy to get you started:
I’m taking a spoon selfie to raise awareness for the 1 in 6 Americans struggling with hunger. I challenge (name) to join me! #Spoontember #HungerActionMonth @FeedingAmerica
Or, Join me and take a #Spoontember selfie to raise awareness for the 1 in 6 facing hunger! #HungerActionMonth @FeedingAmerica
Liz Valpatic and Lindsay Stafford of Woof Boom Radio practice their #Spoontember selfie technique prior to posting. #Spoontember #HungerActionMonth @FeedingAmerica -Photo: Mike Rhodes
In addition, Second Harvest Food Bank will commemorate Hunger Action Day®, which will be held Thursday, September 3. Hunger Action Day is an opportunity for the country to learn more about how hunger affects their community. Second Harvest will commemorate Hunger Action Day 2015 by asking individuals to show their support by wearing orange for the day and making either a commitment to volunteer and/or give a donation to show their support.
“Domestic hunger affects every community in our nation, preventing millions of families, seniors and children from thriving,” said Matt Knott, president of Feeding America. “This September we all are given a chance to come together and make a difference for those facing hunger.”
Second Harvest Food Bank is one of 200 member Feeding America food banks, which serves every county in the United States and provides over 3 billion meals each year to Americans in need.
To learn more about Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month and Spoontember, please visit www.hungeractionmonth.org. For more information on Second Harvest Food Bank, please visit www.curehunger.org.
About Second Harvest Food Bank
About Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana is the region’s largest hunger-relief charity. Our mission is to provide a coordinated approach to alleviating hunger in East Central Indiana. Our goal is to feed East Central Indiana’s most vulnerable residents through a region-wide network of member agencies and programs and to engage our region in the fight to end hunger. Each year, the Second Harvest Food Bank network provides food assistance to more than 75,000 low-income people facing hunger in Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph and Wabash Counties, including 25,040 children and 15,178 seniors. To learn more and to join us in ending hunger visit www.curehunger.org. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
For More information, contact:
Karen McTague, Director of Development 765-287-8698 ext. 113
Submitted by: Karen McTague representing Second Harvest Food Bank
