A year away from the shutdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, one in four people on the Treasure Coast continue to face impossible choices between food and other critical needs.
This September, Treasure Coast Food Bank joins Feeding America and the national network of food banks to encourage everyone to take part in Hunger Action Month.
“Every day we meet people who face impossible choices between buying food and paying a utility bill, making a rent payment, or picking up a prescription. Every week, there are 250,000 people needing help with food, more than twice the number we saw before COVID,” said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “We’re asking everyone to join us during Hunger Action Month to take action to end hunger.”
Treasure Coast Food Bank has planned numerous opportunities for people to donate, advocate, or raise awareness. New this year is Out Run Hunger, a family-friendly 5K event taking place on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Causeway Cove Marina in Fort Pierce. Other highlights include Out Laugh Hunger, a comedy show slated for September 10th at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, The Fall Flavors Food & Beer Pairing on September 22nd at Sailfish Brewery, and Hops Against Hunger, a month-long food drive taking place at craft breweries throughout the Treasure Coast. Register for any of the events at stophunger.org/ham.
Local governments are proclaiming September as Hunger Action Month, and buildings, businesses and landmarks across the Treasure Coast will glow with orange to shine a light on hunger.
There’s a downloadable calendar of activities for everyone to do to raise awareness or get involved. There’s also a calendar created especially for children. September 17th is Go Orange Day. Everyone in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties can show support by wearing orange, using a Hunger Action Month Facebook frame and tagging #hungeractionmonth online. Learn more and download a copy of the calendar at stophunger.org/ham.
