September is Hunger Action Month

The following was penned by Kevin Mullins, executive director of Community Plates, with a mission to end hunger in America, with a focus on Fairfield County. He suggests how you can help and get involved this September in Hunger Action Month...

When we began four years ago, many people were unaware of the huge number of American’s who struggle to eat every day, let alone healthily. However, that tide is turning. 1 in 6 Americans, and 1 in 5 American children, are food insecure and during September’s Hunger Action Month we all have the opportunity to help tell the story of this country’s hungry. More importantly it gives us a chance to focus on changing this senseless reality for good.

Here are some suggestions on how to get involved in Hunger Action Month:

1. Find out about hunger where you live. What are the hunger numbers in your area? Who’s doing a good job taking care of those  people in need? Who are the innovators where you are in tackling this problem head on?

2. Tell someone else about American hunger. I always link to this 4 year old 60 Minutes piece when I can, because I’m still blown away with the story it tells about people just like me, who live in a place much like where I live, who struggle to provide food for their families. I also really like this recent John Oliver piece on Food Waste.  If all of us tell a few more people we’ll be that much closer to bringing hunger to an end.

3. Take the “Action” part of Hunger Action Month seriously. Do something to stop this! If you’re a Community Plates food runner, sign up for an extra run and then post the pictures to your social media feeds. If you aren’t a Community Plates food runner, sign up here http://communityplates.org/go-rescue/ and you can be rescuing food and feeding people within days. Volunteer in a community food pantry, soup kitchen or shelter.  If you need an idea of who’s doing good work, let us know. If each of us do something, we will be that much closer to ending this senseless problem. 

Community Plates is a simple solution to ending American hunger and it’s all of you that power what we do. You are our “action!”

Food for all,

Kevin 

kevin mullins

Executive Director

kevin@communityplates.org

1•800•280•3298 ext 3

www.communityplates.org