Thursday, September 01, 2022

September is Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month

Ann Arbor Food Gatherers' actions to fight hunger in our community 

Most American cities have food banks that help with feeding those in need. Feeding America "is the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States. We partner with food banks, food pantries, and local food programs to bring food to people facing hunger. We advocate for policies that create long-term solutions to hunger."

The Ann Arbor food bank is called Food Gatherers. They started in 1983 as a way to take surplus food from various markets and safely distribute it to people in need. Now, with a large volunteer staff and professional management, they have grown to include many types of food, and especially to try to provide healthy foods like fruit and vegetables. Need is growing, and they have been effective in increasing their services. Their mission:

"We rescue local food and leverage state and national food resources for hunger relief. We lead a network of hunger relief providers and engage the public in the fight against hunger. We create and sustain innovative new food programs in response to emerging needs. We recognize that hunger will not be solved through the provision of food alone, so we advocate for policies and system changes to create an equitable food system."

The two websites, https://www.foodgatherers.org/ and  https://www.feedingamerica.org/  offer ways that you can help if you live in the US. I hope you find your local organization and find a way contribute.

It’s beginning to look like fall! Have a good September.



11 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

It is sad that people in the USA are still going hungry, long term solutions are needed. Great info and post, thanks for sharing. Happy September! Take care, have a great day!

Tina said...

Great organization. We have a church near us where they distribute food on a Farm Share program. Occasionally I drop off a box with coffee, can goods, etc.

Amy said...

So many people need food banks, we have loads here in New Zealand, they are very worthy organizations. As inflation goes up, so do food prices and the cost of living.

Jenn Jilks said...

This is such a sad situation all around the world.
We donate monthly to our Food Bank.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

My local Kroger throws outdated fruit away, but they reduce veggies so people like me can afford nicer veggies than I otherwise would. I asked why they didn't donate the fruit to the food bank and they said someone might get sick and they would be held liable. SO SAD!! This whole situation is sad.

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

We have various feeding schemes here, but no food banks. Our local supermarkets ask for donations to assist organisations that feed the various communities.

DVArtist said...

Our food bank here is so overwhelmed that new recipients have little to receive. I know it's that way in a lot of places. Food is so expensive here, I am thankful that I have a garden and can. Have a nice day.

Harvee said...

We have food banks in our are that people can contribute to. What with inflation, things are difficult for many. Great job in Ann Arbor!

Jeanie said...

We have a very active food bank in the Lansing area I'm proud to support. Thanks for a wonderful post on this.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

My daughter in law started a program in our area for shut-ins. Once a month she and other families joined together in her yard to make hundreds of packages of breakfast bags with instant pkg of oatmeal, juice pack, applesauce, individual cereal boxes etc. - all donated by the neighborhood families. She would then drop off 200 individual bags to a local church would make deliveries and visits to shut ins and leave them 10 bags each.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

We have some lovely food boxes, similar to Little Free Libraries only for food, around town. The one near the park, where many homeless live, is much used.