As record inflation has pushed up the cost of food and other basic needs this year, Treasure Coast Food Bank has seen another record – more people seeking help than at any time since the Great Recession.
One in four people on the Treasure Coast are facing food-insecurity as inflation has made it impossible to keep up with rising costs. That is why Treasure Coast Food Bank is encouraging everyone to get involved during Hunger Action Month.
“The need is as great as we’ve seen since the Great Recession,” said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “When costs for basic needs rise as fast as they have this year, many people have no recourse but to cut back on food. Fortunately, we have a generous community, and we encourage everyone to join us in taking action to fight hunger during Hunger Action Month.”
September is Hunger Action Month when Treasure Coast Food Bank and the Feeding America national network of food banks join forces to mobilize the public to end hunger on the Treasure Coast and across the nation.
There are numerous ways to take part. Download Treasure Coast Food Bank’s Hunger Action Month Calendar with 30 ways in 30 days to take action. Download the kids’ calendar with puzzles and coloring activities to get them involved as well. Sign up for a volunteer shift. Host a food drive in your neighborhood or office. Or take part in Treasure Coast Food Bank’s featured events – Our Laugh Hunger and Our Run Hunger. Find all the details at stophunger.org/HAM.
On Sept. 10, Treasure Coast Food Bank presents its 5th Annual Out Laugh Hunger event, a family friendly comedy show featuring Devin Siebold, Miguel Colon Jr. and Jake Klark. Thanks to the generosity of Indian River State College, it will be held in the Bailey Auditorium on the Fort Pierce campus. General admission tickets are $40, and each includes two drinks. A table for 7 is $250, a discount off the individual ticket price. In addition to two drinks per person, it includes a charcuterie board appetizer for the table.
On Sept. 17, join the hundreds of people expected to gather at the Causeway Cove Marina for the 2nd Annual Out Run Hunger 5K run and walk. The flat course is perfect for participants of all fitness levels. Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers in each age category, and everybody will receive a t-shirt and finisher medal.
On Sept. 21, Sailfish Brewing Company will host Fall Flavors: Food and Beer Pairing to benefit Treasure Coast Bank. Join the breweries, winery, cidery and restaurants of the Treasure Coast for the 4th Annual Food & Beer Pairing – a tasty competition judged by all ticket holding guests.
Throughout the month, businesses, civic organizations, and elected officials will be doing their part as well. Join in by wearing orange, the color for hunger awareness, on Sept. 23, designated Go Orange Day. Make sure to share it online. Wherever there’s the glow of an orange light in a store window, it’s a sign of support for the fight against hunger. Cities and Counties also will be proclaiming September as Hunger Action Month and encouraging everyone to get involved.
Already, area businesses are collecting food donations, a critical need this year. The Treasure Coast’s craft breweries are holding Hops Against Hunger again this year. It’s a friendly competition to see which of them collects the most food donations for Treasure Coast Food Bank. Remember to drop off non-perishable items to drop in the bins.
“Every little bit makes a difference in the fight against hunger and no action is too small,” Cruz said.
ABOUT TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK
Treasure Coast Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization on Florida’s Treasure Coast, providing the community each year with millions of meals valued at more than $50 million through robust programs and in partnership with 400 charitable organizations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. In addition to emergency food distribution, Treasure Coast Food Bank operates a full roster of direct service programs that not only solve the immediate problem of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security, better health outcomes, and self-sufficiency. Treasure Coast Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. For more information on Treasure Coast Food Bank, call 772.489.3034, log on to stophunger.org, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/tcfoodbank, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/tcfoodbank.
