Take Action: Hunger in the U.S.

Ready to get involved? Empower yourself to fight hunger in the United States and read on for tips on how to engage.

Stay informed

 

To get stay informed on trends and updates on hunger in the U.S., listservs and newsletters are great ways to keep up on the latest news and research:

WhyHunger

COMFOOD

Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)

Food First/Institute for Food & Development Policy

 

 

Contact your elected officials

Let your Senators and Representatives at all levels of government know that you support anti-hunger and antipoverty initiatives and oppose funding cuts to existing programs.

 

Dispel hunger myths

Hunger is caused not by a scarcity of food, but by a lack of access to food and other resources.

 

Ensure that more people enroll in federal programs

Only one in three of all eligible people participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp Program). Individuals can contact their local SNAP or WIC office to help with education and outreach. Many local nonprofits are also involved with benefits outreach and advocacy and need volunteers. Organizations that want to promote SNAP participation through advocacy, outreach and partnerships with local anti-hunger programs can join the Outreach Coalition.

 

Volunteer

To find more volunteer opportunities near you, check out Hunger VolunteerShare our StrengthVolunteer Match or United We Serve.

 

Get involved with advocacy organizations

Some local emergency food providers have an advocacy arm that encourages you to contact your elected officials or engage in other forms of advocacy. National organizations such as WhyHunger, Food Research and Action Center, Oxfam America, and many others, produce regular action alerts and opportunities for political advocacy. Find organizations to get involved with locally.

 

Transform the emergency feeding system

Many emergency food providers are initiating projects to increase the amount of fresh, local food they serve and to build self-reliance in their clients and communities. Talk to your local soup kitchen or food pantry about simple ways to move beyond charity. WhyHunger’s publication Beyond Bread: Healthy Food Sourcing in Emergency Food Prorgrams has examples, and our manual Serving up Justice shows you how to dig in.

 

Promote school meal programs

 

Expand venues for EBT, WIC coupons and other nutrition programs

  • Work with your local farmers market, CSA or farm stand to encourage them to accept EBT cards
  • Encourage stores that sell healthy foods to participate in SNAP

 

 


Updated 8/2014

 

WhyHunger