September is Hunger Action Month - raising awareness on hunger in America

Nearly 49 million people in the US face hunger; Go Orange to show your support on Sept. 6

CHICAGO, Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Join anti-hunger advocates from across the country to raise awareness of the 49 million people in the US who face hunger by taking part in Hunger Action Month - a month-long campaign to help end hunger in our country.

Staring Sept. 1, Feeding America, and its network of over 200 food banks across the county, will kick off Hunger Action Month by holding events throughout the country to inspire people to take action to help the millions of people who are food insecure in the United States.

Events include everything from asking businesses across the country to light up their buildings orange (the symbolic color of hunger) on Sept. 9 to having a national wear orange day on Sept. 6.

The issue is of particular importance now when 1 in 6 people in the United States are at risk of hunger. Nationally, there are almost 49 million who struggle with hunger – including 16 million children.

"It's a shame that in the 'land of plenty' there are people who have to worry about how they will get their next meal," said Matt Knott, Interim President and CEO of Feeding America. "Together we can spread the word that "Hunger is real, hunger is solvable, and action matters."

"But everyone can do their part this month to help bring awareness to this issue and help eradicate hunger in our country."

Members of the public can rally for hunger relief by doing these simple tasks this September:

• Take action online.
  • Find your local food bank and Feeding America on Facebook and hit "like."
  • Donate your status to hunger
  • Share a hunger fact with your friends
• Take action at your local food bank.
  • Volunteer at your food bank
  • Tour your food bank
• Take action in person.
  • Wear orange on Sept. 6
  • Speak up for national nutrition programs by sending a postcard to your elected official

To learn more about Hunger Action Month, please visit www.hungeractionmonth.org.

Feeding America would like to thank our Hunger Action Month media and corporate partners. For a list of partners, visit http://hungeractionmonth.org/supporters.aspx.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

Contact:
Ross Fraser
Feeding America
312.641.6422

SOURCE Feeding America