Hunger Action Month started in 2008 when Feeding America's food banks came together to encourage individuals to take action against hunger in their local communities. (Adobe stock)
Hoosiers are marking Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign led by the Feeding America Network, to raise awareness and fight hunger across the U.S.
Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry, said food insecurity remains a significant challenge for communities.
"In every community in America, people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families, yet in 2022, 44 million people -- one in seven -- experienced food insecurity in the U.S.," Bryant pointed out. "We found out last week that number actually went up in 2023."
Indiana has not been spared, with food banks across the state seeing demand at or above peak pandemic levels. Bryant highlighted many families, though working hard, still cannot make ends meet. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has an income threshold of 130% of the federal poverty level, leaving many ineligible for federal aid and struggling to afford food.
As part of Hunger Action Month, Bryant urged the public to get involved by advocating for a strong Farm Bill in Congress, donating to local food banks, or volunteering. Feeding Indiana's Hungry reported nearly 300,000 volunteer hours in the past year, equating to nearly 150 full-time employees.
"Our member food banks are seeing in many cases at, or even in some cases above, peak pandemic numbers," Bryant emphasized. "It's because families are working really hard to provide for their families but what they have just isn't enough to make ends meet."
This year's campaign aims to generate 1 million acts of support against hunger. Bryant added while it will not solve hunger overnight, it is a powerful step toward change.
Joe Ulery, Producer
Friday, September 13, 2024