Andy the Apple whispered to me (okay, maybe a little louder than a whisper) that September is Hunger Action Month. What does that mean, I asked? It means that September is a time to focus attention on the nationwide problem of hunger in our communities – and for the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, that means right here in our Cleveland-area communities!
As Andy so aptly says, by working together we can make a difference. In Cuyahoga County, there are more than 274,000 people who visit local food pantries and hot meal sites a year. That’s one in six people! That could well be your neighbor, your friend or a co-worker. And nearly half of the hungry are children. It seems like a lot of people in need – and it is!
But, in Andy’s words, giving a little, helps a lot. For Hunger Action Month, we at the Hunger Network challenge you to make a difference this month. Take action!
Andy has conveniently listed some suggestions on our website, but asked me to recap. There are three main ways in which you can help! You can donate funds. You can educate your
co-workers, friends and family. And you can join the Hunger Network at a community event.
Donating funds is easy. You can make a secure donation online at our website, HungerNetwork.org. Or you can text FOOD to 80100 to donate $10. You can also simply mail a check into our office. Remember, $1.00 buys 4 meals at one of our food pantries or hot meal sites. Ten dollars pays for forty meals!
Try getting your office involved! Conduct a “Jeans Day” or “Dress Down Day”, host a bake sale, auction off a reserved parking space or sell Hunger Network apples in your office or company (apples can be printed off our website).
How many of your co-workers know what the Hunger Network does? Andy suggests using our website and video as an educational tool. A Hunger Network employee would also be happy to visit your business or organization to share information about our programs and services.
Andy, along with many of the Hunger Network staff and volunteers, will be out in the community at several upcoming events. We invite you to join us at the Whiskey Island Brew-B-Q, benefiting the Hunger Network, on Saturday, September 20th from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. at Whiskey Island. The 8th Annual Rolling on the River is a casino-themed Hunger Network benefit on Friday, September 26th from 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. at Windows on the River in the flats. And the Michael Sone Recreation Center at 6301 Lorain Avenue will be the site of a Potluck in the Park from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 27th. More information on all these events can be found on our website.
Take Andy’s challenge and take action to help us fight hunger in our community! Together, we can make a difference!
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