COMSTOCK PARK, Mich., September 1, 2024 — September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide awareness driver designed to mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger. During the month-long campaign, Feeding America West Michigan will be raising awareness and inspiring action throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Every action counts, whether it’s donating, advocating, or volunteering.
Anyone can get involved locally through the actions below:
- Volunteer at the food bank, a local food pantry, or other hunger-relief organization. Head to FeedWM.org/Volunteer for more.
- Make a donation: Every $1 donated helps provide 9 meals’ worth of food. Check out FeedWM.org/Give.
- Take part in one of the various events happening in Kent County in September:
- Take a trip to the Blue Bridge downtown Grand Rapids; it will be turning orange from the evening of September 8 through September 11.Shop at Kendra Scott and Evereve in Breton Village on September 8 to support the food bank and have a chance to win special edition jewelry.
- Check out WoodTV8 every Friday to tune into this year’s Football Frenzy Food Drives.
- Wear orange, the color of hunger relief, to raise awareness. Post a picture to spread the word with your network!
In our 40-county service area, 1 in 7 people is food insecure, or 13.6%. This means over 335,000 people lack consistent access to enough food to live an active, healthy life.
“The data confirms what we hear from people facing hunger: elevated food prices and costs of living are making it harder for people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to access the food they need,” said President and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan, Ken Estelle. “In the past year, the number of households we’ve served has increased by 21.6%. And, reports of increased attendance at our partner food pantries and meal programs across our service area underlines the pressing need for food in our community. We urge everyone who can to join us in the fight to end hunger, today.”
To learn how food insecurity impacts your community, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap. For more information about your local food bank, Feeding America West Michigan, and how to help end hunger, visit FeedWM.org.
About Feeding America West Michigan
Serving local families in need since 1981, Feeding America West Michigan reclaims millions of meals’ worth of safe, surplus food from various sources. With the help of countless volunteers, the food bank sorts, stores, and distributes this food through a network of hundreds of hunger-relief partners to fill neighbors’ plates instead of landfills. The food bank’s service area consists of 40 of Michigan’s 83 counties from the Indiana border north through the Upper Peninsula. For more information, visit FeedWM.org or call 616-784-3250.
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