Little Rock, Ark . [September 1, 2021] – For Hunger Action Month this September, Arkansas Foodbank is joining other Feeding America food banks across the nation to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of people facing the impossible choice of hunger. Food banks around the country are working to make a real and lasting impact on food insecurity in their communities, and they are asking for the public’s support.
During the month of September, Arkansans can get involved in the movement by learning, committing time, and speaking up about ending hunger. The Foodbank has created a calendar of opportunities that can be found at arkansasfoodbank.org/HAM.
This year’s campaign presents the impossible choices that thousands of Arkansans must make between food and other basic needs.
“For many of our neighbors, it’s not about choosing what to eat, it’s about choosing if they can afford to eat,” said Rhonda Sanders, CEO of Arkansas Foodbank. “Facing hunger often means making a tough choice between food or other crucial needs, such as electricity, childcare, or medicine. Nobody should be forced to make the choice to go hungry.”
Arkansas ranks second in the nation for food insecurity. According to Feeding America projections, more than 260,000 people in central and southern Arkansas could be at risk for hunger since the beginning of the pandemic.
“With the public’s support, we can come together to ensure our friends, families, coworkers and neighbors down the street no longer have to make such impossible decisions,” said Sanders.
List of Hunger Action Month Events
Rice Day – September 14, 10:15 a.m. at Arkansas Foodbank
September is National Rice Month and Arkansas is the largest rice-growing state in the nation, producing nearly 9 billion pounds annually. Join us in celebration on September 14th as the Arkansas rice industry makes a large donation to help feed hungry Arkansans. (Media invited to attend the press conference. Media alert to follow.)
Hunger Action Day – September 17
Hunger Action DayTM is a day where efforts across the country are focused for greater impact. Advocate. Educate. Volunteer. Donate. Everyone has a role to play in ending hunger. Take action today by getting involved in the fight against hunger. Don’t forget to wear orange!
Hunger Week with Big Orange! – September 19-24 at both Big Orange locations in Little Rock
All week long, Big Orange will be selling items highlighting the color of Hunger Action Month: ORANGE! Dine in or take out to support the cause! By purchasing each of these items, you’ll help provide food for 10 meals for those in need: Sweet Potato Fries, Kennebec Chip Buckets with Chipotle Sauce, Big Orange Queso and their special Velvet Orange Cocktail (in store only.)
Family Night Volunteer Opportunity – September 21, 6-8 p.m. at Arkansas Foodbank
Families are invited to come to the Foodbank and sort, inspect and pack food items for distribution to our network of agency partners throughout our 33 county service area. Visit arkansasfoodbank.org to register now and reserve your spot to join us. There are a limited number of spots to ensure social distancing.
Food For Kids Pack-a-thon – September 25, 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Arkansas Foodbank
Volunteers are invited to join us as we pack over 2700 kits for our Backpack Program. These kits, filled with nutritious kid-friendly food, will be distributed to schools across our service area and sent home with students on weekends. Visit arkansasfoodbank.org to register now and reserve your spot to join us. There are a limited number of spots to ensure social distancing.
To learn more about Arkansas Foodbank and to see a full calendar of events (see below) for Hunger Action Month please visit arkansasfoodbank.org.