This September, Chicago's Jewelers' Building Lights Up Orange To Raise Awareness for Hunger-Relief

CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Jewelers' Building (35 East Wacker Drive) is not only a Chicago landmark, flaunting a "wedding cake" shape, beautiful water towers, and was once rumored to have served as a speakeasy for Al Capone, it also serves as the national office of Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity. Starting today, the Jewelers' Building will be lit up orange to raise awareness for September's Hunger Action Month.

As part of Light Up Hunger, prominent buildings and landmarks across the country will be lit up orange for Hunger Action Month, including the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield, the PECO building in Philadelphia, a main fountain in downtown Orlando, and a Ferris Wheel named Big Eli in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

"We are thrilled that the Jewelers' Building will be lit up orange, the color of hunger-relief, this September," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. "We are grateful to our landlord, DUS Management Inc., for their wonderful cooperation and support in our mission to engage our country in the fight to end hunger."

In Illinois, more than 1.8 million people are facing hunger, including nearly 1 in 4 children. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is Feeding America's local member food bank.

Feeding America's recent study, Map the Meal Gap, found that one in six Americans suffer from hunger.

This September, Feeding America is encouraging people from all walks of life to raise awareness for hunger relief.

Rally for hunger relief by doing three simple tasks this September: watch, share, and act.

• Simply visit www.hungeractionmonth.org, and watch the celebrity public service announcement (PSA) videos. Actors Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Taye Diggs, and Ana Ortiz have partnered with Feeding America to show that hunger is indeed closer than you think. Watch these celebrities portray an actual Feeding America client experiencing hunger.
• Share the videos through your social media spaces, such as Twitter, Facebook, or your personal blog. Our goal is to reach 1 million people through digital platforms.
• Take action. By visiting www.hungeractionmonth.org, or Feeding America's interactive map, discover hunger numbers in your area and act locally.
  • Volunteer at your local Feeding America food bank or food pantry.
  • Share hunger stats with your friends. Tweet, post, and blog about hunger in your area.
  • Donate to Feeding America. $1 donated helps Feeding America provide ten pounds of food and grocery products, or the equivalent of eight meals, to someone at risk of hunger.

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

For a list of Feeding America member food banks in the state of Illinois, see below:

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.

Media Contact:
Shannon Traeger
Feeding America
312.641.5717

SOURCE Feeding America