Feeding America Network Food Banks across the Country Unite for Hunger Action Month Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Texas Border Business
PHARR, TX – Unfortunately, hunger impacts people in every corner of the country, including 18.1% of our neighbors in the Rio Grande Valley. And given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Hanna, the Food Bank RGV has seen the demand at their weekly Drive-Thru Emergency Pantry (DTEP) distributions surge by nine-fold since March 1.
This is exactly why the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley joins Feeding America®Food Banks nationwide this September to take part in Hunger Action Month (HAM) to inspire people to take action and bring attention to the challenging reality of food insecurity in America. This year’s campaign comes at a critical time when the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated millions of people who are living paycheck to paycheck. Due to staggering unemployment rates, Feeding America estimates an additional 17 million people could be food insecure in 2020 as a result of this crisis, bringing the total of those suffering hunger up to 54 million people.
In a year that has seen unprecedented challenges, uncertainty and health and financial crises, the food bank needs the support of our community now more than ever to help our neighbors recover. Hunger was already a daily disaster before the global pandemic and hurricanes, and now even more of our families in the RGV are struggling to put food on the table today. Children missing classes and sometimes the only certain meals they receive in school, seniors sheltering in place for safety, and families some of whom had never had to access a food bank are all in danger of going without food. Especially now, “every action counts”, as a community we can ensure that no matter what comes next, the RGV eats today.
The Food Bank RGV has numerous activities planned to inspire, active, and engage the community in hunger relief and raise awareness building, including asking the community to GO ORANGE for the month of September. Orange is the color of hunger and by simply wearing orange; the community can share their support for the food bank’s mission and efforts for the RGV.
“We need your help now more than ever,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Hunger in this country existed long before COVID-19, but the pandemic has thrust more and more of our neighbors into food insecurity, and food banks are responding to a sustained, increased demand. With the support of the community, together we can end hunger one helping at a time.”
September marks the thirteenth year the Feeding America network has organized this annual call to action. To learn more about the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley and other ways you can engage and support Hunger Action Month in the RGV, please visit www.foodbankrgv.com or HungerActionMonth.org. You can also join the conversation by posting photos or stories to social media with #HungerActionMonth, @foodbankrgv and @FeedingAmerica.
