2019 Hunger Summit: The Root Causes of Hunger - Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore

Join the Foodbank as we discuss the root causes of hunger in our community.

On March 5, 2019, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore will once again bring together leaders from throughout the region for the 2019 Hunger Summit.

In the 11 cities and counties the Foodbank serves, the meal gap hovers at over 28 million meals. With the help of our partner agencies and meal distribution programs, the Foodbank is able to provide almost 15 million of those meals. But the gap is still there and it is large.

In order to make systematic and sustainable change in our community, it is imperative we address not only the symptoms of hunger and food insecurity, but the roots that have taken hold. Now is the time for our community leaders committed in the work of nourishing the hungry and food insecure to better understand the root causes of hunger, and how we as a community can best address them.

Admission to the Hunger Summit is free. Ticket prices for the Pillars of Promise Awards Luncheon are $45 per person/$25 per person for agency partners. Table sponsorship available for $500- contact dhansley@foodbankonline.org if interested.

Schedule of the Day

8:00-8:30 a.m. Registration and Coffee
8:30-9:30 a.m. Opening Session
9:40-10:30 a.m. Breakout Session One
10:40-11:30 a.m. Breakout Session Two
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Pillars of Promise Awards Luncheon
1:30-3:00 p.m. Hunger and Poverty Simulation (optional)

Opening Session:

Individuals do not simply wake up one morning and begin to worry about how they will put food on their tables. Generally, they become food insecure over a period of time due to choices, circumstances or the context in which they live. During this session, community leaders from Hampton Roads will share diverse perspectives about how earned income, affordable housing, early childhood education and federal safety-net programs can be combined with charitable food assistance to effectively address the root causes of hunger and food insecurity. This engaging session will include an interactive Q&A that enables audience participation in creative problem-solving focused on eliminating hunger – today and tomorrow.

Presenters:

Dr. Ruth T. Jones Nichols, Chief Executive Officer
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore

Shawn Avery, President and CEO
Hampton Roads Workforce Council
(formerly Opportunity Inc. of Hampton Roads)

Tracey Snipes, Executive Director
Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Dr. Jane Elyce Glasgow, Executive Director
Minus 9 to 5
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
Eastern Virginia Medical School

Pamela Little-Hill, Director
Portsmouth Department of Social Services

Breakout Session Topics:

During the online registration process, you will select the two sessions you would most like to attend. If a session reaches capacity, you will be assigned to another session at check-in.

Lead: The Taboo Conversations around Hunger and Food Insecurity

One size does not fit all when it comes to serving the multitude of households who struggle with hunger and food insecurity. This session will challenge the preconceived notions of individuals struggling with food insecurity in our community and explore solutions that must be adapted to meet the needs of diverse populations, and sub-cultures we often avoid discussing. Members from military, re-entry, and LGBT communities will help lead an interactive session in which the unique challenges of these groups will be addressed.

Feed: Combatting the Hunger/Obesity Paradox in Children

When picturing someone who is malnourished, the image we visualize is very different than the malnutrition we experience in the United States. The reality is that there is a correlation between food insecurity and obesity. This session will highlight the correlation between obesity and hunger in children. It will shed light on where in the Foodbank’s service area childhood hunger is most prevalent. Leaders from our community will participate to provide insights on the purpose of federal child nutrition programs, the effects of food insecurity on children, and some strategies to eliminate it for one of our most vulnerable populations.

Strengthen: The Intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility and Hunger Relief

This panel discussion will dive into how corporations are engaging in Hunger Relief efforts in the communities they serve. The breakout is designed to provide insights in how corporations are addressing the short-term hunger-relief efforts as well as tackling the more complex root causes of food insecurity. In addition, we will explore the changing landscape of corporate social responsibility as it relates to hunger-relief and how corporations balance their primary objective of running a profitable business with positively impacting the communities they serve.

Transform: How Financial Literacy Contributes to Food Security

Many young men and women lack the necessary financial literacy and money management skills necessary to balance their income and expenses. There is a need to invest more in strengthening the financial literacy of not only adults, but children and youth. This breakout session aims to explore the urgent need to provide educational programs to ensure our youth are entering adulthood equipped to handle their finances, and to increase awareness of the financial literacy programs available in our region.

Everyday Advocacy: How to Use Your Voice for Change

Learn about successful advocacy practices and ways that you can use your voice for change from the offices of elected and appointed officials. Understand how change happens and who makes it happen. Learn how to identify and contact your elected officials, key points to make, and how to communicate issues effectively in order to ensure your voice is heard.

Hunger Simulation:

The “Food for a Week” Hunger Simulation will enable participants to get a glimpse of what it is like to make decisions as a person living with chronic hunger and food insecurity. Participants will be challenged to obtain enough food to feed a family for a week. The goal of the simulation is to provide an experiential, educational opportunity that explores issues of food access and availability.

The Hunger Simulation will begin at 1:30pm, following the Pillars of Promise Luncheon. All Summit and Luncheon attendees are welcome to attend.

Pillars of Promise Awards Luncheon

During the Pillars of Promise Award Luncheon, we will recognize those that go the extra mile to help the Foodbank in its effort to eliminate hunger in our community.

Nominees Include:

“Lead” Category:

Don and Lakeisha Carey
Cheryl Speelman
Norfolk/Portsmouth Bar Association- Legal Food Frenzy

“Feed” Category:

Jean Blackburn, Southampton DSS
Ercelle Drayton, Bascillica of St. Mary
Tyson Foods

“Strengthen” Category:

Armada Hoffler
Dr. Matthew Dairman
Leslie Urie

“Transform” Category:

Dr. Mack Bonner
Dr. Patricia Williams and Loretha Stills
Paige Sturdifen

Ticket prices: $45 per person/$25 per person for agency partners. Table sponsorship available for $500.

Presenting Sponsor:

Hope Sponsor:

Pillar Sponsor:

Promise Sponsor:

Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities? Please contact Debbie Hansley at dhansley@foodbankonline.org. Download the Sponsorship Package here.

Join the Foodbank as we discuss the root causes of hunger in our community.

Schedule of the Day

Pillars of Promise Awards Luncheon

Nominees Include:

Ticket prices: $45 per person/$25 per person for agency partners. Table sponsorship available for $500.

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore Mailing Address