I have been working at Feeding America for just over a year now, and I’m still learning new things about hunger all the time.
When I first started, I knew hunger was an issue, and I knew it had a serious effect on those who are food insecure. What I didn’t understand was how prevalent of an issue it is in our nation, or the breadth and longevity of the effects it can have on people who struggle to put enough food on the table. Through Feeding America’s work and the stories of those we serve, I continue learning about these challenges and we continue working to our common goal of solving hunger in America.
Feeding America serves people in every community, and it is their stories that make the great and challenging problem of hunger more personal and real. Sharing stories of experiences with hunger and starting conversations around the topic help raise awareness of the issue. That’s why I’m so excited that people and organizations throughout the U.S. are observing Hunger Action Month right now. September is a time we dedicate to starting those conversations and bringing light to the issue of hunger. It is the perfect time for Woman’s Day magazine to feature profiles on three well-known people who have been affected by food insecurity. These are people we think of as very successful individuals, including businesswoman Cathy Hughes, Olympian Emily Scott, and even our friend and partner, entrepreneur Tony Robbins.
Tony has partnered with Feeding America since 2012 and launched his 100 Million Meals Challenge this past fall. When I read his story, it highlighted to me that hunger is real and it is everywhere. More importantly, it highlighted the powerful significance and impact of a bit of help from a neighbor in a time of need.
I hope you’ll take a moment to read these stories, and to grapple with the pervasiveness of this issue in every community in our nation. It can affect all people, at all ages, in all walks of life. In fact, it affects 48 million of us every day. There is enough food in our nation to feed everyone, yet hunger is still an issue. Together, we can solve it.
Read more about these inspiring stories here:
*Kelly Messenger is the development coordinator for Feeding America.
