Sparks, NV, August 31, 2019 – According to the Feeding America study, The Impact of the Coronavirus on Local Food Security, Nevada is likely to be one of the hardest hit states as it relates to food insecurity. They are projecting that Nevada’s food insecurity will rise to 20% in 2020 (up from 12.8%) Feeding America is also predicting that Nevada will be in the top 3 states for the highest rate of child food insecurity in the nation, at 32.9%, which are more than 226,500 children.
In the face of these daunting statistics, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada is asking supporters in all of the far reaches of their 90,000 square mile service area to join together to fight hunger in their community. September is Hunger Action Month, a national campaign with Feeding America and more than 200 network food Banks like the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. The awareness campaign is designed to mobilize the public around the issue of hunger.
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada has designed many activities with a virtual twist like a virtual Hunger Action Month Bingo game where participants take part in their own hunger fighting activities until they receive a “Bingo” on the card. Each person who reaches this milestone will receive and entry in a free drawing for some great prizes including Hello Fresh meals, dinner certificates, games and desserts you can take to your own place. Details on the Bingo card and how to play are listed here.
Thursday, September 10 is designated as Hunger Action Day and participants are asked to wear orange and post on social media about why they are doing it, to raise awareness for the many people in Nevada who face hunger every day. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada reminds participants to tag the Food Bank @Foodbanknn and use the hashtags #ifighthunger and #hungeractionmonth.
New this year, Hunger Action Month marks the launch of a special campaign designed to show that small donations make big differences when you are fighting hunger. The campaign is Portraits for Produce and the goal is to secure 340,000 lbs. of fresh nutritious produce with 2,020 people donating $20 each. For joining the campaign, supporters will receive a fun personalized keepsake portrait. The public is invited to join the campaign by clicking here.
Again, this September, the Run on Tuna returns for its 10th year where De De and Michelle, the tuna warriors will set out to gather 10,000 cans of tuna. More details on how to get involved are at fbnn.org/ham.
The Food Bank is also recruiting volunteers in September and beyond. The shifts are smaller to allow for social distancing but the work is significant in the warehouse, at distributions, and even for occasional office work. The situation changes quickly so volunteers are asked to check frequently to see what opportunities are open. Volunteers can check for available volunteer opportunities at fbnn.org/volunteer.
On Thursday, September 24 they will be holding another FeedNV Drive through Food Drive at Nevada State Bank at 500 E. Prater Way in Sparks. Donors will be able to drop donations in a safe and touchless way with volunteers unloading them from the car or trunk. The drive will be from 9 a.m. – noon and some of the rural communities served by the Food Bank will also be participating through the partner agencies in those communities. A full list will be at fbnn.org/ham.
Hunger Action Month also includes an opportunity to advocate to elected officials about hunger. The Food Bank advocates for our elected officials to come together to lift up struggling families in need of food assistance. There are two issues that Feeding America and other hunger relief advocates are working on right now. Write or call your Member of Congress to show your support for these measures:
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In the face of these daunting statistics, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada is asking supporters in all of the far reaches of their 90,000 square mile service area to join together to fight hunger in their community. September is Hunger Action Month, a national campaign with Feeding America and more than 200 network food Banks like the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. The awareness campaign is designed to mobilize the public around the issue of hunger.
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada has designed many activities with a virtual twist like a virtual Hunger Action Month Bingo game where participants take part in their own hunger fighting activities until they receive a “Bingo” on the card. Each person who reaches this milestone will receive and entry in a free drawing for some great prizes including Hello Fresh meals, dinner certificates, games and desserts you can take to your own place. Details on the Bingo card and how to play are listed here.
Thursday, September 10 is designated as Hunger Action Day and participants are asked to wear orange and post on social media about why they are doing it, to raise awareness for the many people in Nevada who face hunger every day. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada reminds participants to tag the Food Bank @Foodbanknn and use the hashtags #ifighthunger and #hungeractionmonth.
New this year, Hunger Action Month marks the launch of a special campaign designed to show that small donations make big differences when you are fighting hunger. The campaign is Portraits for Produce and the goal is to secure 340,000 lbs. of fresh nutritious produce with 2,020 people donating $20 each. For joining the campaign, supporters will receive a fun personalized keepsake portrait. The public is invited to join the campaign by clicking here.
Again, this September, the Run on Tuna returns for its 10th year where De De and Michelle, the tuna warriors will set out to gather 10,000 cans of tuna. More details on how to get involved are at fbnn.org/ham.
The Food Bank is also recruiting volunteers in September and beyond. The shifts are smaller to allow for social distancing but the work is significant in the warehouse, at distributions, and even for occasional office work. The situation changes quickly so volunteers are asked to check frequently to see what opportunities are open. Volunteers can check for available volunteer opportunities at fbnn.org/volunteer.
On Thursday, September 24 they will be holding another FeedNV Drive through Food Drive at Nevada State Bank at 500 E. Prater Way in Sparks. Donors will be able to drop donations in a safe and touchless way with volunteers unloading them from the car or trunk. The drive will be from 9 a.m. – noon and some of the rural communities served by the Food Bank will also be participating through the partner agencies in those communities. A full list will be at fbnn.org/ham.
Hunger Action Month also includes an opportunity to advocate to elected officials about hunger. The Food Bank advocates for our elected officials to come together to lift up struggling families in need of food assistance. There are two issues that Feeding America and other hunger relief advocates are working on right now. Write or call your Member of Congress to show your support for these measures:
- An increase to the maximum benefit for people enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/formerly food stamps) by 15% for the duration of this economic crisis. SNAP is an important program for struggling families, seniors, and others.
- Extend the Pandemic EBT Program (P-EBT) to ensure that kids who rely on free or reduced-price meals at school are able to get the nutrition they need even if schools aren’t open. The P-EBT program works to fill the gap left by missing school lunches in the event of full or partial school closures by providing families who depend on school meals with about $5 a day in additional funds for grocery spending.
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