September Is Hunger Action Month

Hays County, TX – September 6, 2016

Hunger knows no season, but there is a season associated with fighting it. September is officially Hunger Action Month, a time when food banks across America urge the communities they serve to actively engage in the crusade against food insecurity. The primary purpose of dedicating this month to hunger is to raise awareness about how many of our neighbors struggle to find their next meal. Hunger awareness can catalyze community members to assist hunger relief efforts for the remainder of the year. Hays County Food Bank wants the community to know that hunger is a serious issue in Hays County. Just look at some of these statistics:

• 1 in 7 Hays County residents (~15%) are food insecure (Feeding America 2014).According to public data (US Census Bureau 2010; Feeding Texas 2013), the percentages of those who live below the poverty line in each major city are:
  • 39.5% of San Marcos residents
  • 20.2% of Kyle residents
  • 16.7% of Buda residents
  • 16.6% of Wimberley residents
  • 2.4% of Dripping Springs residents
• The percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch in Hays County school districts (Texas Education Agency 2015) are even more harrowing. Here they are:
  • 72% of students qualify in San Marcos CISD
  • 51% of students qualify in Hays CISD
  • 31% of students qualify in Wimberley ISD
  • 14% of students qualify in Dripping Springs School District
• Only 63% of the food insecure population of Hays County are income-eligible for government nutrition programs like SNAP, which was formerly known as food stamps (Feeding America 2014).

The good news is that hunger does not have to persist. If every resident takes action, we have the potential to see a change. Hays County Food Bank challenges everyone to partake in at least one of the following:

• RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT HUNGER BY TAKING A #SPOONSELFIE: We challenge you to take a snapshot of you with a spoon stuck to your nose (it is not as easy as it looks) and add a Hays County hunger statistic from above to your picture. Post it to Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. Tag @HaysFoodBank, use the #SpoonSelfie, and challenge your friends to do it too. Be creative and have fun with it!
• DONATE MONEY: $5 can provide 25 meals and $30 can provide a family with the fixings for a home-cooked holiday meal through Turkeys Tackling Hunger.
• DONATE FOOD: Host a food drive. Be sure to take pictures and tag @HaysFoodBank on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram.
•  VOLUNTEER: Donate your time and get in the front lines of serving those in need in Hays County.
•  ADVOCATE: Contact your congressional leaders about hunger in your area.
• BE AN AMBASSADOR: Send us a story/video about a time you were hungry or share a story about how you are involved in the fight to end hunger.
• HOST AN EVENT: Host a Hunger Action fundraiser and be sure to tag us in videos and pictures on social media.

If you would like to hold an event to benefit Hays County Food Bank or have any questions, please contact Ashley Hurst at AHurst@HaysFoodBank.org or at (512) 392-8300 x230.

In 2015, The Hays County Food Bank and its 20₊ partner agencies distributed 690,397 pounds of food to an average of nearly 12,000 food insecure residents a month. The population served included senior citizens, children, and many others facing economic challenges.  “Food insecurity” refers to the availability of food and one’s access to it.  The Food Bank is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission.  For more information, please visit haysfoodbank.org or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @HaysFoodBank.