5 Ways to Make the Most of Hunger Action Month
September is Hunger Action Month! A nationwide initiative led by Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, this month of action gives us a chance to address issues of hunger and rally even more support for our mission.
Food security is a priority every day for CCFB and food banks across the nation; we work year-round to end hunger and food insecurity in our communities. No matter the season, we’re mobilizing our staff and volunteers to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need, from Simple Suppers to Education & Wellness.
There are plenty of ways to get involved during Hunger Action Month. Here are five actions you can take to help us make the most of it:
1. Donate Food for a Collective Impact
Donated food is an integral part of our distribution to our network of over 100 community partners so they can serve neighbors facing food insecurity in our community. Unfortunately, with grocery prices continually on the rise, and more people needing support, donated food is only 18% of our total food distribution!
September 21: Drive-Thru Food Drive & Color Some Kindness
Join us for a community effort to collect 10,000 pounds of donated food in September for Hunger Action Month. We are hosting a Drive-Thru Food Drive on Saturday, September 21, from 9:00 am to 11:30 am at our location in Exton (650 Pennsylvania Dr, in the Eagleview Corporate Center). Our Kindness Crew will also be here hosting Color Some Kindness. After you’ve dropped off your food donation, we invite you to unleash your creativity at our coloring station. Help us decorate boxes for our Grocery Box program with inspirational messages of hope. Markers and crayons provided – just bring your imagination. Color Some Kindness is open to everyone (no registration required.)
Our most needed items are:
- Canned Tuna, Salmon & Chicken easy open pull top preferred
- Cereal
- Canned Fruit in water / juice + easy open pull top preferred
- Granola Bars / Protein Snacks
- Canned Vegetables no/low sodium + easy open pull top preferred
- Peanut / Nut Butters no/low sugar
Now is the perfect time to donate food or host a food drive. Check out our food drive toolkit to get started! Working remotely? Host a virtual food drive! Rather than bringing people together in person or encouraging them to go out shopping for a traditional food drive, you can host a virtual food drive, Individual or Team fundraiser through our online platform. Your financial gift enables us to purchase the most needed foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Practice Acts of Advocacy
The heart of Hunger Action Month lies in raising awareness and empowering the community to act. Advocacy is central to what we do at the Food Bank. We count on public support to help further our mission and accomplish our goals, and without a network of allies to help us spread the word about our work; we’d be in trouble. We can organize and take action, but to make the biggest impact, we need our supporters to help share the important message about how hunger affects those living in our cities and towns.
During Hunger Action Month, you can practice advocacy in the following ways:
- Join us on September 19th at the historic courthouse steps in West Chester for an inspiring Rally Against Hunger. Come together with elected officials, community leaders, food relief organizations, and neighbors to stand up against hunger in Chester County. Your participation is crucial—let’s unite to create a future where everyone has access to nutritious food. Be part of this important movement and help us make a lasting impact. You don’t have to RSVP, but we’d love it if you do! Let us know you’re coming, and together we’ll make some noise!
- Speak out for the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a vital safety net for millions of low-income individuals and families, helping them afford nutritious food. SNAP not only reduces food insecurity but also supports local economies by boosting spending at grocery stores and farmers’ markets. Ensuring that SNAP is accessible and adequately funded is essential for promoting public health and addressing hunger in our communities. Advocacy efforts can help protect and expand this program, ensuring that it continues to meet the needs of those who rely on it. This is important in Pennsylvania because 55% of those receiving SNAP are children and seniors. Learn more about SNAP and how your vote matters in protecting these important programs.
- Advocate for a strong Farm Bill and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). These are essential programs for supporting food security across the country. The Farm Bill provides critical funding for TEFAP, which supplies food banks and pantries with nutritious products to distribute to those in need. A robust Farm Bill ensures that programs like TEFAP are adequately funded, helping to reduce hunger and support vulnerable populations. By advocating for a strong Farm Bill, we can strengthen the entire food assistance network and ensure that no one goes hungry.
- Prepare to use your voting power to fight food insecurity! September 17th is #NationalVoterRegistrationDay, and it is easier than ever to register in Pennsylvania! Residents can register online or check their registration status by visiting VotesPA.com. The last day to register in time to vote in the general election (November 5) is Monday, October 21, 2024. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Don’t delay. Register today!
3. Sign Up to Volunteer
Whether you’re new to CCFB or you’ve been a supporter for years, we’d love to have you pitch in as a volunteer. If you like to cook, garden, or spend some social time with others helping out a good cause, there is an opportunity waiting for you at the Food Bank! Commitments range from one afternoon-long session to ongoing shifts — it’s completely up to you and your availability! Come alone or as part of a team. See here for sign up info.
4. Join Our Monthly Giving Community – Beyond Hunger 365
For the cost of one fancy coffee, you can help feed a neighbor in our community. We appreciate every single monetary donation and every item of food that comes to us from fundraisers and one-time donations. But, to carry on our mission to the best of our ability, we’re looking for a group of supporters who are passionate about changing the face of hunger in our county to pledge a consistent amount each month. Hunger Action Month is a great time to become a part of our Beyond Hunger 365 monthly giving community. And be sure to check if your employer offers a matching incentive so you can double your impact!
5. Go Orange for Hunger Action Day – September 10
On Hunger Action Day, everyone is encouraged to wear orange on Tuesday, September 10, to raise awareness for those struggling with food insecurity. Share photos on social media – make sure to tag us on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn using #HungerActionMonth #ChesterCountyFoodBank
No matter how you choose to get involved, every action – big or small – supports the Chester County Food Bank to further our work in our community!
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The Chester County Food Bank is the central hunger relief organization serving over 100 community partners throughout Chester County. We mobilize and educate the community to ensure equitable access to nutritious and familiar food.
Photos: Chester County Food Bank
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2018 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.