September Is National Hunger Action Month, Learn How To Help

By Lisa White in Food on Sep 6, 2013 9:00PM

There has been a lot of discussion this week about the cost and availability of food after the announcement from Whole Foods that they are opening a new location in Englewood. Whole Foods has made an effort in showing that the new location will focus on the local community and address prices, keeping the economical needs of the neighborhood in mind. It just so happens that September is national Hunger Action Month, so It’s the perfect time to discuss the nutritional issues and pitfalls many face in our city.

Hunger Action Month is a partnership between Feeding America and their nationwide network of food banks to urge individuals to take action in their communities and educate others on the issues surrounding hunger. Besides the yearly SNAP challenge (where participants attempt to eat for one week on a budget of about $5 per day), this year Feeding America is encouraging people to write their local Member of Congress in a national effort to reach a goal of getting every member to visit a food bank in 2013.

Locally during Hunger Action Month, a generous donor has set up a $25,000 Matching Gift Challenge with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where every gift amount given by September 30 will be doubled. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is also urging people to volunteer this month at a local food pantry to experience firsthand how the organization helps out the 860,870 food insecure individuals in Cook County. Check out the Greater Chicago Food Depository website for other ideas and information on how to participate in Hunger Action Month.