Hunger Action Month

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Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month®

The Feeding America network’s annual nationwide campaign designed to spread awareness and engage the public in the movement to end hunger. The campaign brings attention to the reality that in every community in America, people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families; yet in 2022, 44 million people — 1 in 7 people — experienced food insecurity in the U.S.

September 10^th is Hunger Action Day, a day where efforts are focused for greater impact.

Click here to download the ACTION Board!

Donating online is easy! What’s even better is that thanks to a $5,000 matching gift Navy Federal Credit Union, your support can have twice the impact.

A recurring gift is a donation set up to automatically draft a specified amount from your bank account or credit card at regular intervals, often monthly. This process is seamless, as it requires no further action from you once set up. You have complete control over your giving through your donor account, where you can manage your preferences or stop the donations whenever necessary. Click here to learn more or set up your first donation.

We’ve made it easy for you to share quick facts about the Foodbank and food insecurity in our community. Some focus on the Foodbank’s entire 4,745 square mile service area, while others are based on locality. Select the facts that best resonate with your audience, download the accompanying photo, and share it on your personal page.

In some areas the Foodbank serves, 1 in 4 children go to bed hungry.
Last year, the Foodbank distributed over 24 million pounds of nutritious food.
One in 10 neighbors in the Foodbank’s service area are food insecure.
At the Foodbank, $1 donated provides 2 nutritious meals.
In the Foodbank’s service area, more than 132,240 people are projected to be food insecure.
At the Foodbank, 92¢ of every $1 donated goes directly to those in need.
In Accomack County, 4,340 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 13% of our neighbors.
In Northampton County, 1,730 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 14.3% of our neighbors.
In Virginia Beach, 45,240 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 9.9% of our neighbors.
In Norfolk, 31,480 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 13.3% of our neighbors.
In Chesapeake, 21,360 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 8.6% of our neighbors.
In Portsmouth, 11,900 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 12.2% of our neighbors.
In Suffolk, 8,200 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 8.6% of our neighbors.
In Isle of Wight County, 3,980 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 10.2% of our neighbors.
In Franklin, 1,130 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 13.8% of our neighbors.
In Southampton County, 1,740 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 9.7% of our neighbors.
In Sussex County, 1,140 people are projected to be food insecure – that’s 10.5% of our neighbors.

Since $1 donated provides 2 nutritious meals, with a little work and a lot of fun, your fundraiser will make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors facing hunger. Click here for instructions on setting up your page. For more information, contact our Community Engagement Manager, Maddie Cottrell, at mcottrell@foodbankonline.org or (757) 644-4434.

This September, we’re excited to partner with local breweries to support the Foodbank! For each featured beer purchased, $1 will be donated to help those in need. Click here to learn more!

Click here to learn more about the root causes of food insecurity.

Advocating for the Foodbank amplifies the voices of our food insecure neighbors and drives meaningful change in society. By actively raising awareness about hunger and the crucial role food banks play in supporting vulnerable communities, advocates can garner public support and influence policymakers to prioritize effective solutions. Click here to learn more.

More than 7,000 volunteers play a crucial role in supporting our daily operations and assisting with vital tasks that include sorting and packing food, managing distribution events, providing administrative support, engaging in outreach initiatives, and more. Click here to explore volunteer opportunities.

Tag us on social media (@foodbankseva) to show us how you are ‘turning orange’!

The FM99 and 106.9 The Fox Mayflower Marathon is a round-the-clock food and fund drive that takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving each year. With 57 hours to participate, giving has never been so easy. Simply drive through and donate. Click here to learn more.

Email donorservices@foodbankonline.org if you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt or can of peanuts.

Whether it’s at the Foodbank facility or in the community, there’s a volunteer opportunity with your name on it. Click here to visit the Eastern Shore Volunteer Hub calendar, where you can learn more and directly register for a shift.

The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation is running a register campaign during which customers can round up, and/or donate $1, $5, $10.

Facebook: FoodbankSEVA

Instagram: @foodbankseva

LinkedIn: foodbankseva

X: @FoodbankSEVA

TikTok: @foodbankseva

Youth and Family shifts take place every other Saturday from 9-11am, offering a unique experience reserved for families with children between ages 6 to 11. Children attending must be accompanied by an adult. During these special events, volunteers may participate in tasks like sorting or packing food and enjoy a warehouse tour to introduce the work of the Foodbank to their children. It’s a wonderful opportunity to instill the value of giving back to the community and teach children about the importance of helping others in need. Click here to access our Volunteer Hub calendar where you can learn more and directly register for a shift.

Your encouragement provides invaluable support and motivation to those working tirelessly to combat hunger in our community. You can send your cards to 800 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23504, attention Mallory Reckling, or email your kind messages to mreckling@foodbankonline.org .

This fosters a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding hunger and inspires meaningful engagement and support. Click here to request a Foodbank tour.

Join us and our friends at Smithfield Foods for a Hunger Relief Night at Harbor Park as we cheer on the Norfolk Tides against the Charlotte Knights. Wear orange to show your support for hunger relief! Gates open at 5:00pm and the game starts at 6:35pm. Stay afterward to enjoy a spectacular fireworks display. Click here to purchase your tickets and be part of this exciting event.

Click here to see our shopping list of most needed items. Remember to take it with you on your next grocery trip.

California Pizza Kitchen (200 Central Park Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23462) will donate 20% of all food and beverage purchases from dine-in, takeout, catering, and online orders to the Foodbank. Be sure to mention it to you CPK staff member or use promo code BACK20% at checkout.

Click here to access our online directory. Neighbors in need of food assistance can enter their zip code—or any accessible location—and the directory will display nearby partner locations within a few miles.

Food drives provide a variety of food and essential items to support seniors, children, and families facing hunger. Click here to learn more about coordinating a food drive. For more information, contact our Community Engagement Manager, Maddie Cottrell, at mcottrell@foodbankonline.org or (757) 644-4434.

We’d love to hear from you. If you have a story or experience to share, please contact our Director of Development and Marketing, Mallory Reckling, at mreckling@foodbankonline.org or (757) 314-4575.

Click here to access a Canva template link, available for anyone to view and customize. Simply replace the temporary image with your logo, download the final version, and print it out.

Whether it’s at the Foodbank facility or in the community, there’s a volunteer opportunity with your name on it. Click here to visit the Western Tidewater Volunteer Hub calendar, where you can learn more and directly register for a shift.

Let your employer double or triple your impact! You can make your donation go further by using or starting a matching gift program at your workplace. Click here and scroll down to ‘Employer Matching’ to see if your employer will match your donation.

The nationally recognized BackPack Program is an initiative aimed at combating childhood hunger. Supported by Feeding America, the program provides nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to children who may not have access to adequate meals during weekends and school breaks. Through partnerships with local schools and community centers, participating students receive backpacks filled with nonperishable food items, such as canned fruits, protein-rich snacks, and whole-grain products. Donate online today!

Click here to access the exclusive invitation and RSVP.

Our website is an excellent resource for discovering our programs and initiatives. Just click on the ‘Get Help’ tab, and a list of our Programs will appear for you to explore.

By completing a hard copy of this pledge, you create a physical reminder of your dedication to the cause. Place it somewhere visible to keep yourself accountable and motivated.