September is Hunger Action Month. This is a nationwide campaign, organized by Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks, which mobilizes the public to #TakeAction on the issue of hunger.
How HOPE Fights Hunger
At HOPE Helps Inc., we are playing a huge part in fighting hunger in Seminole County. Every week, more than 5000 pounds of food is given out to individuals and families in need via HOPE’s Food Pantry. HOPE’s Food Pantry relies on grants and donations. Food donations come from individual donors, community food drives and community gardens. Financial donations are used to purchase food at very low prices from Feeding Hunger partner food banks such as Second Harvest of Central Florida.
Hunger and Children
One major segment of the food insecure population is children under the age of 18. HOPE has established the KIDS of HOPE Enrichment program which provides healthy lunches to school age children who usually received free or reduced lunch at school, for every week that they are on school break. A donation of just $7.50 will provide one child with lunch for an entire week. HOPE currently has over 900 students registered for this program.
HOPE Delivers to Clients Who Cannot Come to the Pantry
HOPE also serves another demographic that is in dire need of food assistance with our HOPE Emergency Network System – those who are home-bound; elderly, disabled or who have temporary medical issues and cannot access HOPE’s Food Pantry. Food is delivered to these clients on a weekly basis by dedicated volunteers. Many of these clients have medical issues such as diabetes that require them to eat only certain foods and HOPE has identified a need for more donations of these specialty food items.
3 Easy Ways You Can Take Action and Fight Hunger
For Hunger Action Month, you are encouraged to #TakeAction to fight hunger in your community. Here are three easy ways that you can get involved.
- Donate Food especially non-perishable goods, to your local food bank or food pantry such as HOPE’s Food Pantry. A great way to collect a significant quantity of food is by organizing a Food Drive in your neighborhood or at your workplace. Click here to contact fooddrives@hopehelps.org to organize a food drive for HOPE.
- Make a financial donation. Just $30 can feed a child lunch for an entire month! Click here to make a financial donation to HOPE's Food Pantry.
- Volunteer in a food bank or food pantry near you. HOPE’s Food Pantry is almost entirely run by a team of volunteers. Volunteers check in clients and guide them around the pantry as they “shop” for their household. The kindness and smiles of volunteers brighten the day for someone in need. Click here to learn more about volunteering at HOPE’s Food Pantry.
Bonus: You can #TakeAction by simply sharing this message with your family and friends! Thank you for fighting hunger in your community!
