- September is national Hunger Action Month
- “Go Orange” on Hunger Action Day—September 23rd– to raise awareness
- Nearly 440,000 people in Central Texas face hunger
- Austin Restaurant Weeks and “30 Ways in 30 Days’” calendar provide easy ways to help end hunger
AUSTIN, TEXAS, September 6, 2022 – Throughout September, which is national Hunger Action Month, the Central Texas Food Bank is mobilizing the public to end hunger with its “Food Shouldn’t be an Impossible Choice” campaign. The goal of the campaign is to call attention to hunger in our communities and inspire Central Texans to take action - donate, volunteer and advocate to end hunger. Hunger Action Month takes on even more urgency this year, given the increased need for food assistance brought about by rising prices.
Ending hunger is a huge undertaking. The Central Texas Food Bank and its network of Partner Agencies lead the charge in that effort across a 21-county service area twice the size of Massachusetts, where nearly 440,000 people face hunger.
“Hunger Action Month plays a key role in raising awareness about the issue of hunger here in Central Texas and showing people how to take action toward solutions,” said Sari Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “As we face unprecedented increases in the cost of living, it’s critical that the public help us support our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.”
The “Food Shouldn’t be an Impossible Choice” theme shines a light on the toll hunger takes on individuals and our community. For most, a daily meal is a simple choice of what to eat. But for people facing hunger, a daily meal poses a different type of choice—often an impossible choice between food and other crucial needs, such as electricity, childcare or medicine. As many of our neighbors face of hardships made worse by rising prices, food shouldn't be an impossible choice.
Everyone can take an active role in ending hunger by dining out during Austin Restaurant Weeks, September 1 – 11 and by participating in “30 Ways in 30 Days”, a calendar of simple things everyone can do on each of the 30 days of Hunger Action Month. These activities include things like holding your own virtual food drive, donating at the register at H-E-B, attending the Austin Chronicle’s Annual Hot Sauce Fest and volunteering in the Food Bank’s warehouse, kitchen or garden. And make sure to “go orange” (the symbolic color for hunger) by wearing orange clothing on Hunger Action Day, September 23rd. The “30 Ways in 30 Days” calendar can be found at www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/ham.
The Food Bank encourages everyone to promote their Hunger Action Month activities on their social networks using #CTFBGoesOrange and tag @Central Texas Food Bank on Facebook, and @CTXFoodBank on Twitter and Instagram.
To learn more about the Central Texas Food Bank and how you can get involved during Hunger Action Month, please visit www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/ham.
To donate or volunteer, please visit www.centraltexasfoodbank.org.
ABOUT THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK
Now in its 40th year of serving those in need, the mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. The Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 300 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving more than 60,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.
