SIKESTON, Mo. – For Hunger Action Month this September, Southeast Missouri Food Bank will join Feeding America and other member food banks to inspire conversation and drive passion for the issue of hunger. The month-long campaign will highlight the impact of food on people’s lives, and show how a meal goes beyond solely nourishing our bodies. When people are fed, futures are nourished, and individuals go from just living to truly thriving.
“Food has a tremendous impact on people’s lives. We have all experienced firsthand how a meal goes beyond solely nourishing our bodies,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Access to nutritious food is essential for each of us to reach our full potential and reminds us that we can all help to create positive change in our communities to ensure that no one goes hungry in America. Now is the time for us to come together to elevate the voices of people who experience food insecurity and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger.”
September marks the 16th year Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a nationwide network of 200 food banks, including SEMO Food Bank, and 60,000 partner food pantries and meal programs, has organized the annual call to action. By joining the movement, SEMO Food Bank believes our collective voices, actions and commitment will help ensure every community has the food it needs to flourish.
“The mission of SEMO Food Bank is to end hunger and to leverage the power of food to build healthy communities, so this year’s Hunger Action Month campaign really reflects the work we’re already doing,” said Joey Keys, chief executive officer of SEMO Food Bank. “We know that in order to thrive, people and communities need access to nutritious food, and that’s a big focus for our food bank. We’re excited that Hunger Action Month is shining a light on this work.”
During the month of September, people across southeast Missouri can get involved by listening, acting and inviting others to speak up about ways to end hunger.
• Sign up to volunteer at a local pantry or one of the food bank’s two volunteer centers.
• Wear orange, the color of hunger, to increase awareness on Sept. 15, Hunger Action Day, and post it to SEMO Food Bank’s social media.
• Go to semofoodbank.org to find more ways to help or make a donation.
Hunger Action Month is a time for everyone across the country to collectively act against hunger. You can choose to donate or advocate. You can choose to volunteer or raise awareness. You can choose to help end hunger.
About Southeast Missouri Food Bank
The mission of Southeast Missouri Food Bank is to end hunger and leverage the power of food to build healthy communities. The food bank provides food to 140 charitable and disaster relief programs in Southeast Missouri. These member agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, domestic violence and homeless shelters. Southeast Missouri Food Bank also holds regular mobile food distributions and provides monthly boxes of food to 5,500 senior citizens and weekend backpacks of food during the school year to nearly 1,200 students in 30 school districts. The food bank’s 16-county coverage area includes Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard and Wayne counties. Those interested in helping can do so by making a tax-deductible contribution, donating food, or scheduling a time to volunteer. Visit semofoodbank.org for more information.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit www.FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.