Food is a basic need – an absolute necessity – for everyone. Even in America, the land of plenty, one in six people faces food insecurity every day and one in four children go to bed hungry. There are many Americans skipping meals or eating less than they should each day because there just isn’t enough to go around. This can be a senior citizen on a limited income, single parents trying to make ends meet, or families facing a financial emergency. Hunger can affect people from all walks of life.
By making sure all our neighbors have access to enough healthy, nutritious food can actually improve the health of our communities. It can ensure our children are focusing on learning at school instead of their stomachs growling due to hunger. It can also help struggling parents be more productive at work. As a dietitian running a food pantry, I’m reminded every day how small acts of kindness are making a big difference in the lives of the people we help.
September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign encouraging everyone to take action to help solve hunger in their community.
How can you take action?
- Volunteer at your local food bank or food pantry, and/or donate food items.
- Donate milk through The Great American Milk Drive at http://milklife.com/give.
Sadly, most food banks and pantries don’t receive many dairy donations – the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person a year, far short of the recommended three servings of milk every day – which can lead to hungry Americans missing out on the important vitamins and minerals found in milk. Donations stay local with this effort, so you can help provide milk to families right here in Oklahoma, or in your local community.
Take Action and make a difference in fighting hunger in your community today. For more information on hunger in America and how you can make a difference, visit www.feedingamerica.org.
