Central Texas Food Bank Emphasizes Awareness, Volunteerism, Voter Registration During Hunger Action MonthTM
- September is national Hunger Action Month
- More than 471,000 people in Central Texas face hunger; 25% of them are children
- In addition to donating and volunteering, registering to vote and voting are vital in the fight against hunger
AUSTIN, TEXAS, August 31 – Throughout September, which is national Hunger Action Month, the Central Texas Food Bank will be mobilizing the public in the fight against hunger with its “Nothing Runs on Empty” campaign. The goal of the campaign is to call attention to the hunger issue and inspire Central Texans to donate, volunteer and advocate to help end hunger.
Fighting hunger is a huge undertaking. The Central Texas Food Bank and its nearly 250 partner agencies lead the charge in that fight in a 21-county service area that’s twice the size of the state of Massachusetts, where more than 471,000 people face hunger - 25% of whom are kids.
“Hunger Action Month plays a key role in helping us spread the word about how widespread hunger is here in Central Texas,” said Hank Perret, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “It’s important that all of our neighbors have access to enough healthy food to reach their full potential; especially our children, who cannot grow, succeed or learn on an empty stomach.”
To shine a light on the toll hunger takes on individuals and our community, the “Nothing Runs on Empty” campaign asks people to consider and share how it must feel to live with an empty stomach, which puts a healthy life and a promising future at risk. Here’s how it works:
Grab a paper plate or use the Food Bank’s printable template at www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/hunger-action-month-2016
Jot down something you can't do on an empty stomach: “On an empty stomach I can’t ______.”
Post/share a picture of you holding the plate on your social networks using #HungerActionMonth and tag @Central Texas Food Bank on Facebook, and @CTXFoodBank on Twitter and Instagram
In addition to the social media awareness campaign, supporters can help fight hunger by volunteering at the Food Bank. Morning and afternoon volunteer shifts are available Mondays through Saturdays and evening shifts are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Many local retail and corporate partners are also holding special events to benefit the Food Bank during Hunger Action Month. For a list of these events or to volunteer, please visit www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/hunger-action-month-2016.
Since this is an election year, the Food Bank is adding another important element to its campaign during Hunger Action Month: voter registration. “While the Food Bank always needs and appreciates food and monetary donations, this year we’re also asking that Central Texans make sure to register to vote and then exercise their vote in the upcoming election on November 8,” said Perret. “Why? Because many decisions made in Washington, D.C., and Austin affect the Food Bank, our partners and those we serve.”
To facilitate the voter registration process, several Food Bank employees have volunteered to be trained and certified as official registrars. They’ll be helping to register voters at food distributions and events through the October 11 registration deadline.
“The people we elect to represent us matter in the fight against hunger,” said Perret. “That’s why we’re encouraging our Central Texas neighbors to become advocates in the fight against hunger by registering to vote, educating themselves on the issues and candidates, and voting on election day.”
To learn more about the Central Texas Food Bank and how you can get involved during Hunger Action Month, please visit www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/hunger-action-month-2016.
ABOUT THE CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK
The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in ending hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 300 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 46,000 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, visitcentraltexasfoodbank.org.
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