LongIsland.com

September is Hunger Action Monthâ„¢

Written by Don Miller  |  07. September 2016

Long Island, NY - September 6, 2016 - The feeling of running on empty is a grim reality for 316,000 Long Islanders who struggle with hunger every day. Island Harvest Food Bank joins with Feeding America® and its nationwide network of food banks to highlight the chronic problem of hunger in our local communities and across America, recognizing September as Hunger Action MonthTM.

September marks the ninth year the Feeding America network of food banks, and Island Harvest Food Bank has organized this annual call to action in the Hunger Action Month movement. This year the campaign will focus on the strong connections between hunger and health.

“On an empty stomach, people don’t have the fuel to reach their full potential, and even basic activities, such as learning can be difficult,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO, Island Harvest Food Bank. “Hunger and the lack of proper nutrition have been linked to several chronic, adverse health conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. We’re calling on everyone to join during Hunger Action Month to help end hunger by advocating, educating, volunteering, or donating food or funds to Island Harvest Food Bank.”

“I’ve spent many days on the road this past year, visiting food banks, food pantries, and meal programs and meeting people who are facing hunger,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. “I’ve seen firsthand the anguish that food insecurity and hunger can cause. It is always heartbreaking to meet a mother or father who fears that they will not be able to feed their children. They know that their children cannot reach their full potential if they don’t have enough to eat.”

Hunger Action Day®, the second Thursday in September, is a day where efforts across the country are focused on greater impact.

This year, on September 8, Island Harvest Food Bank asks supporters to share photos on social media what they couldn’t do without adequate nutrition by writing on an empty plate, “On an empty stomach I can’t ______,” and filling in the blank with something they couldn’t achieve without the nutrition we need to thrive.

These photos can be posted to Island Harvest Food Banks’ Facebook and Twitter social media sites with #HungerActionMonth, @IslandHarvest, and @FeedingAmerica to join the conversation.

Island Harvest Food Bank is also providing several opportunities for community members to get involved in Hunger Action Month. Please visit www.islandharvest.org to learn how you can make a difference.

To learn more about Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month, please visit www.hungeractionmonth.org.

About Hunger on Long Island
Hunger is a state in which people do not get enough food to provide the nutrients for active and healthy lives. It can result from the recurrent lack of access to food. More than 316,000 Long Islanders face the risk of hunger every day, according to Island Harvest Food Bank and Feeding America, a national hunger-relief organization. Those facing hunger include adults (often working two jobs), seniors and veterans. Unable to make ends meet, they (and their children) are often forced to go without food. Approximately 70,000 individuals seek food assistance in Nassau and Suffolk counties each week through soup kitchens, food pantries and other feeding programs served by Island Harvest Food Bank.

About Island Harvest Food Bank
Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading hunger-relief organization that provides food and other resources to people in need. Always treating those it helps with dignity and respect, its goal isto end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island through efficient food collection and distribution; enhanced hunger-awareness and nutrition-education programs; job training; and direct services targeted at children, senior citizens, veterans and others at risk. Approximately 94 cents of every dollar donated to Island Harvest Food Bank goes to programs that support more than 316,000 Long Islanders. Island Harvest Food Bank is a lead agency in the region’s emergency-response preparedness for food and product distribution, and is a member of

Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization. More information can be found at www.islandharvest.org.

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