From More In My Basket

In September, Feeding America directs special attention to heightening food insecurity awareness with its nationwide Hunger Action Month. This campaign is designed to inspire communities to not only raise awareness of hunger in the United States, but to also take action.

According to the Food Bank of the Albemarle, 48 million Americans (including 15 million children) experience hunger in the United States. These individuals must often choose between paying their bills, buying important items such as medicine, and putting food on the table.

The goal of Hunger Action Month is to end these impossible choices. Feeding America has multiple events this September to increase awareness of hunger, but you can also support your local community year-round.

Today we will be discussing some of the ways in which you can participate in this year’s campaign in our communities.

Donate to local food pantries

One of the easiest ways to get involved is to donate money or different foods to your local food pantry. Donating money is easy with in-person and online options. Every little bit helps. If you don’t have the means to donate right now, volunteering at events or during the week is a great way to support a food bank.

To find a local food bank near you, visit www.foodbankcenc.org/food-finder or check out the Orange County Food Resources list at go.ncsu.edu/feedorangecounty on the Orange County Cooperative Extension website.  The Orange County Center also has a helpful guide for conducting food drives you can use to help guide your efforts to collect critical items that pantries need broadly.  Pantries across Orange County need your support!

Fundraising

You don’t need to wait for someone else or an organization to start fundraising. A powerful way to create impact within your community is to organize a food drive or fundraiser at your school, workplace or even your neighborhood. Reach out to friends and family members and ask for their support. Donate what you raise to a local food pantry.

Don’t forget that social media is a great tool to also spread the word about different campaigns and organizations in your area.

• PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro
• PORCH Hillsborough
• TABLE
• Meals on Wheels Orange County NC
• Inter-Faith Council for Social Service
• Orange Congregations in Mission

Educate yourself

Learning about food insecurity in the US and in your county can be a game-changer. Increasing your awareness helps you better understand the root causes of hunger, the lived experiences of those affected, and the ways you can take meaningful action. Start by reading local news articles that highlight hunger-related issues in your area or subscribing to newsletters from area food banks and community organizations. You can also follow credible sources on social media, such as Feeding America, and explore firsthand stories and expert insights on their website. Awareness is the first step toward action! Reaching out to local food banks and organizations is also the best way to discover your community's needs.

Staying informed will also help you debunk some common myths about hunger and advocate more effectively in your community.

Support school meal programs

Besides donating to your local food bank, you can also show your support to school meal programs such as SUN Bucks and SUN Meals. Many counties look for volunteers to help run these summer meal programs. These programs ensure that children in North Carolina and across the US have access to the nutritious foods they need.

Reducing food waste

Another thing you can do on a personal level is reduce food waste in your household. This can be done through thorough meal planning, composting, and eating leftovers for a few days after a big meal is prepared. Avoiding food waste helps maximize the availability of food in your area, conserve resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Many food banks rely on supermarkets and grocery stores in their towns to deliver produce and other types of food left over from their stock that week. Contact your local food bank for details about deliveries.

Spreading the word about the SNAP program

One of the best programs available to low-income families in North Carolina is called SNAP. SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and was formally known as food stamps. In North Carolina, this program is also called Food and Nutrition Services or FNS. Talking about SNAP with your friends and neighbors is a good way to spread awareness of this important program.

Eligibility for SNAP is dependent on household size, residency and income guidelines. If you would like to ask specific questions about SNAP or if you need help applying for this program, you can contact More In My Basket (MIMB).

MIMB is an NC State Extension program dedicated to educating and assisting North Carolina residents in applying for SNAP. To reach out to MIMB, you can visit their “contact us” page at morefood.org or call them toll-free at 1-855-240-1451.

By following these tips, you will be making a huge impact in helping our communities fight hunger in North Carolina and across the country.

Source: feedingamerica.org

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