As COVID-19 Leaves Millions More People Food Insecure, the Hunger Action Month Campaign Urges the Public to Help End Hunger One Helping at a Time
The Feeding America® network of food banks will mobilize this month to help bring an end to hunger – at a time when hunger is impacting more of our neighbors in every corner of the country. Hunger Action Month is designed to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of the fact that millions of people in America are facing hunger.
September marks the thirteenth year Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs, has organized the annual call to action to bring attention to the reality of food insecurity.
This year’s campaign comes at a critical time when the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt millions of people living paycheck to paycheck. Due to staggering unemployment rates, Feeding America estimates an additional 17 million people could be food insecure in 2020 as a result of this crisis, bringing the total up to 54 million people.
“We need your help now more than ever,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Hunger in this country existed long before COVID-19, but the pandemic has thrust more and more of our neighbors into food insecurity, and food banks are responding to a sustained, increased demand. With support of the community, together we can end hunger one helping at a time.”
During the month of September, people across the country can get involved in the movement to end hunger by:
- Volunteering at their local food bank
- Donating to their local food bank or Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund
- Contacting elected officials to protect and increase the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, which is the first line of defense against hunger
- Pledging to vote to feed America this November
- Wearing orange and lighting city landmarks orange for Hunger Action Day, Sept. 10
- Joining the conversation by posting photos or stories to social media with #HungerActionMonth and @FeedingAmerica
To learn more about ways you can take action this September, please visit HungerActionMonth.org.
Contact
Please contact one of our media representatives or call 800-771-2303
About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on X.com.