PEKIN, Ill. - Feeding America network deemed September as Hunger Action Month® (HAM) in an effort to mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger nationally. To educate and bring more awareness to the issue of hunger and food insecurity in our local communities, the Food Pantry Network – HOI (Heart of Illinois) has launched a local campaign.

“We all have a role to play in getting food to our neighbors in need,” explained Kaitlyn Streitmatter, University of Illinois Extension SNAP-Ed educator and Food Pantry Network – HOI organizer. “We have planned special events on Thursdays throughout the month and a social media campaign on Facebook. We will highlight local efforts addressing hunger and provide hunger facts in an effort to bring awareness around hunger.”

Join the online event, invite friends, and share posts by visiting go.illinois.edu/HAM2020.

Organizers will be sharing details about the special events through this Facebook event. Current plans include:

• Thursday, September 3 at Noon – Food Pantry informational video go.illinois.edu/fpnvideo
• Thursday, September 10 at Noon – Facebook Live Tour of the Peoria County WIC Garden
• Thursday, September 17 at Noon – Webinar: You can bundle! Food bundling at your food pantry
• Thursday, September 24 at Noon – Facebook Live Storybook reading of Lulu and the Hunger Monster

Other ways to take action during Hunger Action Month are connect with your local food pantry and find out how you can get involved, as well as wear orange on September 10 in support of Hunger Action Day! Throughout the month be encouraged to take photos of how you are showing your support and share online using the hashtag #HungerActionMonth.

“It is estimated over 40,000 people in Peoria County are served by partners of Midwest Food Bank and Peoria Area Food Bank” noted Streitmatter. “Traditional food pantries, school pantry programs, mobile food pantry programs, backpack programs, and hot meal programs are some examples of ways we try to get food to people who need it. The three most requested items from food-insecure families are dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins. Contact your local pantry to find out their most needed items”

The mission of the Food Pantry Network - HOI is to support, connect, and provide resources to those working within the emergency food system. This network of community partners strives to help alleviate hunger and build a healthier community. If you are a pantry or food bank in our area, please join us online at www.facebook.com/groups/foodpantrynetworkhoi or reach out to Kaitlyn Streitmatter, kaitlyns@illinois.edu, to be added to the group’s email list.

Source - Kaitlyn Streitmatter, SNAP-Ed educator, Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit