A small bite of the Itasca area hunger picture

Check out the link below to view the story.

http://blog.blandinfoundation.org/2013/09/a-small-bite-of-the-itasca-area-hunger-picture/

Meet Jim

For more than 40 years, Jim worked as a mechanic. When the economy crashed, business stopped. Jim knew he needed to apply for food stamps when after waiting for a customer payment all day - it simply never arrived. Without a cracker in the house he applied for food stamps and is glad he did. He would have had no other way to eat.

40,000 Minnesotans would lose food stamps under new bill

by Brett Neely, Minnesota Public Radio

September 18, 2013

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House plans to vote tomorrow on a bill that cuts food stamps by nearly $40 billion over 10 years, a move that would eliminate benefits for 40,000 Minnesotans.
         
Food stamp funding has long been part of the farm bill, but after a disagreement over food stamp cuts sank a version of the farm bill, House Republicans in June decided to vote on the issue separately.
The House subsequently approved a scaled-down farm bill without food stamps in July. It now must be reconciled with the Senate bill, which cut food stamps by $4 billion.

Read the full story...

Real Stories of Hunger: Jessica

Jessica was laid off from her job a few years back. Determined to make it, she quickly got two other jobs as a waitress to support herself and her child while she looked for more work. Then she got sick, and temporarily lost her ability to walk - and consequently her job. With no income, she relied on food stamps to feed her and her daughter until she could literally get back on her feet again.

Minn. food insecurity still at all-time high

by Julie Siple, Minnesota Public Radio

September 5, 2013

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The number of Minnesotans who struggle to put enough food on the table remains at its highest level since the government started counting two decades ago. A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says about one in 10 Minnesota households doesn't have access to enough food for healthy living.

 

Read the full story here: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/09/04/food-insecurity

Hunger Action Month 2013

September is Hunger Action Month - working together to raise awareness of hunger in America

 

More than 50 million people in the US face hunger; wear orange to show your support on Sept.5

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank (August 30, 2013) - Hunger advocates from north central Minnesota and across the country will be wearing orange on Sept. 5 in an effort to raise awareness of the more than 50 million people in the US who face hunger. It's just one of the many awareness events taking place throughout the month of September in recognition of Feeding America's Hunger Action Month - a month-long campaign to help end hunger in our country.

Staring Sept. 1, Second Harvest and other food banks in the Feeding America network, will kick off Hunger Action Month by holding events throughout the country to inspire people to take action to help the millions of people who are food insecure in the United States.

“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.”

The issue of hunger is of particular importance now when 1 in 6 people in the United States are at risk of hunger. Nationally, there are more than 50 million people who struggle with hunger – including 16.7 million children.

Here in north central Minnesota, about 23,200 people struggle with hunger, including 8,800 children.

“It’s a shame that in the ‘land of plenty’ we have neighbors and friends who have to worry about where they will get their next meal,” said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America. “By raising awareness and working together, we can solve hunger."

Among the events taking place across the country, include:

·         Hunger Action Day - wear orange to support hunger awareness (Sept. 5)

·         Second Harvest’s First Annual Hunger Action 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 7^th – visit www.secondharvestncfb.com for registration information.

·         Jeff Gordon's race car will display a "Hunger Action Month" sticker on it during a race at the Richmond International Raceway, thanks to a partnership with AARP Foundation. (Sept. 7)

·         Light up for hunger. Buildings around the country will be lighting up orange throughout the month to show their support. (Examples include Houston City Hall, Chase Tower in Phoenix, Sundance Square in Ft. Worth, TX) 

“We are excited to add the Hunger Action 5K event to the Hunger Action Month calendar. This is family fun activity to help raise awareness. We encourage the community to participate," says Gretchen Columbus.

The race will take place at the IRA Civic Center. The first 100 registered runners/walkers will receive a t-shirt. Registration will begin at 8:00am and the race will start at 9:00am. To register visit www.secondharvestncfb.com. To learn more about Hunger Action Month, please visit www.hungeractionmonth.org.

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About Second Harvest North Central Food Bank:

Second Harvest North Central Food Bank serves 135 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 2012. For more information regarding Second Harvest North Central Food Bank, visit www.secondharvestncfb.com or call 218.326.4420.

Contact:Gretchen Columbus, Communications Coordinator

218.326.4420