This September, Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH) will join Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks to bring attention to the issue of hunger during Hunger Action Month. Now in its 18th year, this initiative shines a spotlight on the millions of Americans who face food insecurity. FAKH invites everyone to take part by wearing orange, the official color of hunger relief, to show support.
Food insecurity touches communities throughout the U.S., reaching every county in the nation. In 2023, more than 50 million people turned to food banks, more than at any point in the last decade. Families with children are 1.5 times more likely to face food insecurity. In fact, some rural child hunger rates reach up to 50 percent.
This is a problem facing the 42-counties FAKH serves. According to the latest Map the Meal Gap data from Feeding America, in 2023, 188,170 people in our service area were food insecure, an alarming increase of 11,900 individuals compared to the previous year. That means 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 4 children across Kentucky’s Heartland are living with hunger.
“Hunger is not just a national issue, it’s a local one, impacting thousands of our neighbors right here in Kentucky’s Heartland,” said FAKH executive director Charles Dennis. “This Hunger Action Month, we’re calling on everyone to join us in the fight against food insecurity. Your voice and actions make a real difference for real neighbors who don’t know where their next meal will come from.”
As part of Hunger Action Month, FAKH will also participate in Hunger Action Day on Sept. 9. The event will be held at our new Bowling Green hub facility and will bring together FAKH leadership and local leaders, followed by a volunteer opportunity to pack bags of fresh produce for distribution to Warren County agency partners.
For Hunger Action Month, we encourage you to take action in the fight against hunger. Here’s how:
- Donate: Financial contributions to FAKH help expand programming and reach more neighbors.
- Volunteer: Our volunteers are at the heart of our operations, from those who pack food boxes to those who distribute meals to neighbors.
- Host a Food Drive: Our ability to feed our neighbors depends on the generosity of our community and people like you. Whether you are raising funds or food, any amount helps us to take hunger off of the table for our neighbors in Kentucky’s Heartland.
- Advocate: Raise awareness about hunger in your community and support policies that increase access to food.