Do Something: September is Hunger Action Month

Feeding America, the nations largest hunger relief charity, is reminding everyone to "Give a little, Feed a Lot" this September during Hunger Action Month.

I think that this sort of campaign is a great call to action.  Many of us have really great intentions of volunteering or donating goods, but often lose this philanthropic drive in the bustle of everyday life.  We should think of others all the time, but it's nice having a little reminder to do so.

There are lots of events and activities being organization by Feeding America this month (you can find ones close to you by clicking here), but really, there are so many actions you can take on your own to feed needy residents in your community.

For example: Organize a gleaning trip to a local farm, volunteer at a local food bank/food pantry, start a food drive at your child's school, or offer to pick up donated food if you have a large car/truck.

I hear all the time that people often don't volunteer because they aren't asked.  Well, you may now consider yourself asked.  Go out and do something to benefit your community!

If there's any doubt that your service is needed, listen to this.

I wrote a post a few weeks back about how our broken food system aggravates problems of hunger and food access in this country.  The focus was on hunger in the San Joaquin Valley in California--one of the world's most productive agricultural regions.

This recent Wall Street Journal article tells me that other people are beginning to see the irony in the fact that a place that produces so much food contains so many hungry people.

The Fresno Food Bank is reporting that it is so bad in Central Valley farm towns that they are now feeding over 80 percent of residents in some communities.

So please, take action this month to stop the tragedy of hunger.  Not one person in this country (or really any country) should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.

Leave a comment and let the Change.org community know what you, your friends and your neighbors are doing to help stop the spread of hunger across America.  Feel free to post links to events and other opportunities anywhere in the country.

(Photo credit: sterlingpr on Flickr)