Hunger Action Month: Speak Out Against Hunger this September

Grand Rapids, MN – August 30, 2012:  It’s an issue that almost 49 million people in the US have to face on a year-round basis – but during the month of September everyone can do their part to help raise awareness on hunger in our country.

This September, Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, Feeding America, and its network of 202 food banks across the county are encouraging people to participate in Hunger Action Month and Speak Out Against Hunger. The initiative is an effort to mobilize the public to raise awareness and take action in support of domestic hunger relief.

Events include everything from asking businesses across the country to light up their buildings orange (the symbolic color of hunger) to having a national wear orange day (Sept. 6).

The issue is of particular importance in north central Minnesota where 1 in 8 people are at risk of hunger. Nationally, there are almost 49 million who struggle with hunger – including 16 million children.

“If everyone would wear orange and speak out for the hungry that are largely hidden and silent, our community would begin to notice that hunger is a problem that we need to take action to end,” says Sue Estee, Executive Director of Second Harvest. “They are our neighbors, co-workers and even family members.”

We encourage everyone to do their part this month to help bring awareness to this issue and help eradicate hunger in our country.

Speak Out Against Hunger by doing these simple tasks this September:

·         Take action online.

§  Find Second Harvest North Central Food Bank and Feeding America on facebook and hit “like.”

§  Donate your facebook status to hunger

§  Share a hunger fact with your friends

·         Take action at Second Harvest North Central Food Bank.

§  Volunteer

§  Take a tour

§  Speak out by filling out a paper plate at Second Harvest to send to your local elected officials.

·         Take action in person.

§  Wear orange on Sept. 6

§  Speak up for national nutrition programs by sending a postcard to your elected official

To learn more about Hunger Action Month, please visit www.hungeractionmonth.org.

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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.

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Second Harvest North Central Food Bank serves 145 hunger relief agencies in Koochiching, Itasca, Cass, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties.  Just under 4.4 million pounds of food and grocery products were distributed through those agencies in 2011.  For more information regarding Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, visit www.secondharvestncfb.com or call 218.326.4420.