Hunger Action Month: How to Take Action Against Food Insecurity This September

Hunger Action Month takes place every September to raise awareness of food insecurity and turn that awareness into action. In 2026, Feeding America’s theme is “Play Your Part,” encouraging people to donate, volunteer, advocate, partner, or fundraise. In Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, those actions support neighbors facing food insecurity year-round.

September gives communities across the country a shared opportunity to focus on hunger. For the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, that attention matters because more than 152,720 people in its service area are projected to experience food insecurity, or about 1 in 8 neighbors.

Food insecurity affects people with different jobs, households, ages, and circumstances. A loss of income, rising household costs, an unexpected expense, or a budget that simply doesn’t stretch far enough can make reliable access to nutritious food harder.

Hunger Action Month creates a chance to better understand that need and decide how each of us can help.

What Is National Hunger Action Month?

Hunger Action Month is a nationwide campaign held each September by the Feeding America network. The campaign began in 2007, making 2026 its 19th year.

This year’s theme, “Play Your Part,” focuses on the way individual actions connect. Feeding America highlights donating, volunteering, advocacy, partnerships, and fundraising as different ways people can contribute. Hunger Action Day falls on September 29, 2026.

Why September Matters in Our Region

Food insecurity doesn’t begin or end with an awareness campaign. Neighbors need reliable access to food throughout the year.

September can still be a useful rallying point. Families are settling into school routines, workplaces, and community groups are planning fall service projects, and many people are beginning to think about year-end giving.

Putting hunger on the community calendar creates another opportunity to connect people with the Foodbank’s work and with resources available to neighbors in need.

What Does “Play Your Part” Look Like Locally?

There isn’t one role everyone has to fill. Paul Chung’s experience shows how receiving support and giving back can be part of the same story.

Paul previously worked in transportation for Norfolk Public Schools. In retirement, making the grocery budget work hasn’t always been easy. At times, he says, he looks for extra work: “Maybe I can do yard work or something, get some extra money to buy groceries.”

The Foodbank helps fill that gap with groceries that include fresh produce, pantry staples, and other foods. As Paul looks through what’s available, his description is simple: “That’s good enough for us to survive.”

Paul is also a Foodbank volunteer. He helps people find parking when they arrive, turning a place that receives support into one where he can support someone else.

“For me personally, I feel good because I still can do something and contribute to this community.”

Receiving Support and Giving Back

Paul’s experience reflects an important part of the Foodbank’s work: needing support at one point in life doesn’t take away someone’s ability to contribute to the community around them.

When Paul’s grocery budget is tight, the Foodbank helps provide food. When he has time and energy to give, he volunteers. Those roles can exist side by side, and they can change as a person’s circumstances change.

That idea fits especially well during Hunger Action Month. Addressing food insecurity starts with making sure neighbors can access food with dignity, while also creating opportunities for people to stay connected and participate in their community in ways that work for them.

How Can You Take Action This September?

There are many ways to participate, and they don’t require the same amount of time or money. Choose something that fits your circumstances and that you can realistically follow through on.

Donate Funds or Food

Financial gifts give the Foodbank flexibility to purchase food and respond as needs change. $1 can provide two meals and 95 cents of every donated dollar goes directly to those in need.

Food donations are another option. Before shopping specifically for a drive, check the Foodbank’s current needs so your contribution matches what is most needed.

Workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, faith communities, and other groups can also organize food or fund drives and bring more people into the effort.

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteers help food move through the Foodbank and out into the community.

Depending on current needs, opportunities may include sorting and packing food, assisting with distributions, supporting events, or helping with other Foodbank operations. One-time and recurring roles give people options based on their schedules.

Explore current openings on the Foodbank’s volunteer page.

Advocate and Share Reliable Resources

Taking action can also mean helping people understand food insecurity and the resources available locally.

Follow the Foodbank’s advocacy work and learn about policies that affect access to food. Sharing accurate information can also help neighbors find support when they need it.

If someone is looking for food assistance, direct them to the Foodbank’s Find a Food Pantry tool rather than relying on outdated social posts or word of mouth.

Why Should Hunger Awareness Continue After September?

Awareness is most useful when it leads to something people carry forward.

A September volunteer shift might introduce someone to the Foodbank for the first time. An initial donation could become part of a monthly budget. A workplace drive might turn into an annual project.

Hunger Action Month can also encourage people to learn more about why food insecurity happens and how access can be improved over the long term.

Turn One Action Into an Ongoing Habit

An ongoing commitment doesn’t have to be large.

You might volunteer several times a year, set up a recurring donation, continue sharing reliable food-assistance resources, or stay informed about issues that affect food access in your community.

For more ideas, read our guide to giving back to the community, which covers volunteering, donations, group efforts, resource sharing, and advocacy in greater detail.

Key Takeaways

• Hunger Action Month is Feeding America’s nationwide September campaign to raise awareness and inspire action against hunger.
• More than 152,720 people in the Foodbank’s service area are projected to experience food insecurity.
• Feeding America’s 2026 theme, “Play Your Part,” recognizes that people can contribute in different ways.
• Donating funds or food, volunteering, advocating, and sharing local resources can all support hunger-relief efforts.
• Paul Chung’s experience as both a Foodbank neighbor and a volunteer shows how receiving support and contributing to the community can coexist.
• September can serve as the beginning of a longer commitment to local food access.

Frequently Asked Questions

What If I Need Food Assistance During Hunger Action Month?

You don’t need to wait for a special September event. Use the Foodbank’s Find a Food Pantry tool to locate nearby resources and check current distribution information.

Can I Still Participate After September Ends?

Yes. The Foodbank accepts donations, works with volunteers, shares advocacy opportunities, and connects neighbors with food year-round. September provides a focused period for awareness, but hunger-relief work continues in every season.

How Can I Talk About Food Insecurity Respectfully?

Avoid assumptions about why someone may need assistance or what their circumstances look like. Use accurate information, dignity-centered language, and terms such as “neighbors facing food insecurity” rather than defining people by the assistance they receive.

Can My Workplace or Community Group Participate?

Yes. Groups can volunteer, organize food or fund drives, create giving campaigns, or help share Foodbank resources. Check current Foodbank opportunities before planning an activity so your group can direct its efforts where they are most useful.

Conclusion: Make September a Starting Point

Hunger Action Month gives people across the country a common reason to pay attention to food insecurity. Its lasting value comes from what happens after that attention is captured.

Paul Chung’s story shows how closely receiving support and contributing to a community can be connected. Whether you have time, funds, food, professional skills, or simply a way to share reliable information, there is a place for that contribution.

Play Your Part With the Foodbank

This September, choose an action that fits your life and helps strengthen food access across Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

Donate, sign up to volunteer, or visit the Foodbank homepage to learn more about the work happening throughout our region.