Feed the Community: September is Hunger Action Month
Did you know that September is Hunger Action Month? According to Foodlink, our local food bank, this is “a nationwide campaign driven by Feeding America and its network of 200 food banks to inspire people to take action and raise awareness about food insecurity and its root causes in the United States.”
A study by Feeding America with 2020 data shoes that 11.1% of the population in Foodlink’s service area are considered food insecure. The United States Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as “the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.” In addition, Black and Hispanic residents in Foodlink’s service area are four to five times more likely to be food insecure.
Foodlink reports that “Monroe County residents missed 13.9 million meals in 2020.” A more in-depth article on Hunger Action Month and food insecurity can be found on Foodlink’s website.
There are many ways to support organizations that address food insecurity in the Rochester and Monroe County area. As a food bank, Foodlink collects, stores and distributes food to a network of food pantries and other nonprofits that provide food assistance to individuals. Foodlink welcomes volunteers for a variety of tasks, including donation sorting and working in the Community Kitchen, Community Farm, and Curbside Market.
Many communities have food pantries, community meal programs, and food distribution sites that work with Foodlink as our regional food bank. Volunteer tasks may include sorting food, stocking shelves, filling orders, delivering food, and serving meals.
Here is a list of many such organizations in the Rochester and Monroe County community. Be sure to check out our 5 Ways to Be a Good Volunteer post before you reach out!
Asbury Dining and Caring Center
Barakah Muslim Charity Soup Kitchen
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Supper Program
Carolyn's Cupboard at Abundant Grace Church
Central Church of Christ Soup Kitchen
Community Food Cupboard of Rochester
East Rochester Community Resource Center, Inc.
First Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church Food Pantry
Greece Ecumenical Food Shelf & Clothing Closet
Hilton Parma Emergency Food Shelf
Hope Lutheran Church Food Pantry
Irondequoit Community Cupboard
New Life Emergency Food Cupboard
Our Mothers of Sorrows Food Pantry
Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf
Sister Mary Regis Food Cupboard
Southwest Ecumenical Ministries
St. Andrew's Emergency Food Cupboard
St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality
St. Theodore's Social Ministries Food Cupboard