THE FOODBANK OF MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES RAISES AWARENESS OF THE ISSUE OF HUNGER THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER – HUNGER ACTION MONTH

The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, a member of the Feeding America® nationwide network of food banks, will observe Hunger Action Month^TM – a nationwide initiative designed to mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger and join the movement to help end hunger. Hunger advocates from Monmouth and Ocean counties and across the country are working together this September to shine a light on the issue of hunger and those people who face hunger in America – including over 131,000 in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

“One in 10 people, including 40,000 children in our area struggle with hunger, and The FoodBank is eager to rally around Hunger Action Month as we continue our fight to solve this problem,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Executive Director. “Hunger is an issue that affects everyone – our child’s classmate, an office coworker or neighbor on our street. September is an opportunity for all hunger-relief advocates to take simple steps towards supporting those in need.”

The Feeding America network of food banks also is participating in the new Spoontember^TM online initiative. To get involved, supporters can share a ‘spoon selfie’ or video of themselves balancing a spoon on their nose – a utensil that is most often used to prepare and provide food for others – and challenge friends and family to join them to generate awareness of the 49 million Americans who may not know where they’ll find their next meal.

On HUNGER ACTION DAY, September 3rd, The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties will host an S.O.S. (Stuff Our Silo) Food and Fund Drive, as well as a day (9:00 AM – 9:00 PM) of volunteer fun with giveaways, local DJs, Live music from Musicians on a Misson, Food Trucks, Selfie-Station, and VIP guest drop-ins. It will surely be a memorable way to give back to the community.

Here’s how you can help:

• Come to Hunger Action Day on September 3, 2015 at the FoodBank
• TEXT STOPHUNGER to 243725 and Donate Now!
• Share a Spoon Selfie on social media and hashtag #HungerActionMonth #Spoontember @FeedingAmerica @TheFoodBankMOC
• Be a stop hunger advocate – Contact your Congressman

The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is one of 200 member Feeding America food banks, which serves every county in the United States and provides over 3 billion meals each year to Americans in need.

HUNGRY FOR THE FACTS? Some of them may surprise you –

In Monmouth and Ocean Counties:

• The FoodBank provides food and services to a network of over 300 feeding programs and serves 131,000 people
• 1 in 10 people are food insecure
• 1 in 5 are children
• 97% of client households reside in permanent housing, such as a house or apartment
• 78% report having to choose between paying for groceries or paying for housing
• 69% of adult clients have a post high school education
• 85% of all households had incomes less than $30,000 annually
• 78% report purchasing inexpensive, unhealthy food, 46% water down food and drinks to make them last
• 44% of households use food stamps; among those who don’t, an estimated 82% are income-eligible

Video by Quick4Productions LLC