Vermont Foodbank Invites Everyone In Vermont To Take Action To End Hunger

Text reads: We Can End Hunger One Helping At A Time. Photo of child drinking milk.

Feeding America Network Food Banks across the Country Unite for Hunger Action Month

Barre, VT – September 3rd, 2019 – In Vermont, 1 in 4 of our neighbors struggle with hunger and may not know where they’ll find their next meal. Hunger affects many people<—>like Joseph who is retired and doing his best to afford his needs on a limited social security income. Once he’s paid for rent, utilities, and health care costs, there isn’t enough money left for food. Or Lisa, a veteran living in Rutland who recently had a stroke. She couldn’t work while rehabilitating and without a job, she struggled to afford her basic needs like a roof over her head and food on the table.

That is why, this September, the Vermont Foodbank joins Feeding America food banks across the country to take part in Hunger Action Month and inspire people to take action and raise awareness of the fact that 40 million Americans, including 12.5 million children and 5.5 million seniors, are food insecure.

This year’s campaign seeks 40,000 actions—a volunteer shift, a social media post, or a donation—from the public that will help end hunger one helping at a time.

“When everyone works together to solve hunger, we can make real change,” says Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles. “By working together, we can ensure that all of our neighbors have access to enough food to thrive–especially our children, who cannot grow, succeed or learn well on an empty stomach. Every action counts, and Hunger Action Month is a great time to make a difference in the lives of people right here in Vermont.”

“Hunger Action Month is a time for us to take action and help our neighbors and friends struggling to put food on the table,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Every state and every county in this country have people facing hunger. Our network of food banks and partner food pantries and meal programs are positioned to serve all of them. You can help at the local level by volunteering, engaging, advocating and donating, and together we can end hunger one helping at a time.”

September marks the twelfth year the Feeding America network has organized this annual call to action. To learn more about the Vermont Foodbank and other ways you can get involved for Hunger Action Month in Vermont please visit vtfoodbank.org/ham or HungerActionMonth.org. You can also join the conversation by posting photos or stories to social media with #HungerActionMonth, @VermontFoodbank and @FeedingAmerica.

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Vermont Foodbank is the state’s largest hunger-relief organization, providing nutritious food through a network of more than 300 community partners – food shelves, meal sites, schools, hospitals, and housing sites. Food insecurity has increased dramatically as a result of the pandemic, economic disruptions, and recent flooding. The Vermont Foodbank and its network have been on the front lines, working to ensure that everyone has the food they need to maintain their health. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank provided over 12 million pounds of food to people throughout Vermont. The Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation.