Feeding South Florida Combats Food Insecurity During September’s Hunger Action Month

Feeding South Florida®, the leading hunger-relief organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, is commemorating Hunger Action Month this September with a myriad of activities to encourage South Floridians to “Go Orange” to stand against hunger. Hunger Action Month, a nationwide initiative created by Feeding America®, is designed to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in America and inspire others to take action toward ending it. This year Feeding South Florida’s theme is “Hunger Heroes Take Action.”

Currently in South Florida, there are more than 1.2 million food insecure individuals. One in nine individuals in South Florida remain uncertain about where they will get their next meal due to inflation, the strained supply chain, rising fuel prices and increased housing costs among other factors. Proceeds raised during the month-long initiative will allow Feeding South Florida to fulfill its mission to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts and transforming lives through innovative programming and education.

An online auction during the month will allow bidders access to fun, unique items while supporting Feeding South Florida’s hunger relief efforts. Go Orange t-shirts and orange mustaches will be available for purchase to raise awareness about hunger. Monetary donations will go further during September thanks to a one-to-one match with Delta Airlines, up to $25,000. Every donation is critical as a $1 donation allows Feeding South Florida to provide approximately four meals to a family in need.

Feeding South Florida will also host two Hunger Relief Town Hall Meetings during Hunger Action Month to educate the public and donors about food insecurity and hunger relief efforts. The Hunger Relief Town Hall is a pivotal initiative hosted in collaboration with Health Choice Network, Feeding South Florida, Broward Community and Family Health Centers, University of Miami Health System and Jessie Trice Community Health System, through a grant from the National Institute of Health. This gathering brings together a diverse array of stakeholders – from community leaders and healthcare professionals to policymakers and grassroots advocates – to focus on tackling the multifaceted challenges of food insecurity head-on. The meetings will take place on Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus and on Sept. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Nova Southeastern University’s Rick Case Arena.

During Hunger Action Month, South Floridians can “Go Orange” by participating in various activities throughout the month including:

• Start a Fund Drive: Raise money with coworkers, friends and family online.
• Start a Food Drive: Feeding South Florida relies on the generous support of the community to host food drives to ensure it receives shelf-stable, high-demand products.
• Participate in the 2024 Outrun Hunger 5K – Palm Beach County: (7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21)Participants can raise funds for Feeding South Florida by running or walking during this fun-filled event taking place at the beautiful Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33413). Participants can join the event as an individual or a team.
• Pack to Give Back – Corporate Teams (Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26): Companies are encouraged to volunteer to sort food and pack meal boxes for families at one of Feeding South Florida’s warehouses. Shifts include 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m.
• Volunteer: During Hunger Action Month, coworkers, family and friends are invited to volunteer to sort food at one of Feeding South Florida’s warehouses or help prepare and cook meals for children and seniors at Feeding South Florida’s 5,000-square-foot state-of-the-art multi-purpose Community Kitchen in Boynton Beach. Dates and times vary. For more details, visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/volunteer/.
• Hunger Action Day (Sept. 13): Feeding South Florida celebrates Hunger Action Day, also known as “GO ORANGE DAY.” The community is invited to purchase a “Hunger Heroes” t-shirt for $25 and wear it to support ending hunger in South Florida by visiting www.feedingsouthflorida.org/ham2024.
• Go Orange!
  • Throughout the month, individuals can host an orange bake sale, government and municipalities can issue a proclamation for Hunger Action Month, hotels can welcome guests with an in-room display that showcases Hunger Action Month, schools can develop students’ skills by creating a project to promote hunger awareness and much more. During Hunger Action Month in the past, several landmark buildings including The Breakers, Miami Tower, and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Guitar Hotel all participated in “GO ORANGE DAY” by turning their lights orange.
  • Register an individual or company’s #GoOrange initiative to be added to Feeding South Florida’s community activity calendar. Contact events@feedingsouthflorida.org.
• Get social: Post on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or X using the hashtags #feedingsouthflorida #hungeractionmonth #hungerhero. Unlock the Hunger Action Month Social Media Tool Kit at www.feedingsouthflorida.org/ham2024.

“Hunger Action Month is an opportunity for the community to come together to raise awareness about food insecurity and be a part of the solution,” stated Paco Vélez, president and CEO of Feeding South Florida. “We’re grateful for our South Florida community which participates in Hunger Action Month year after year to support our mission and help families in need. The month-long initiative will help us continue to raise awareness and crucial funds to put food on the table for South Florida families who need it the most.”

For more information about Hunger Action Month, please visit www.feedingsouthflorida.org/ham2024 or contact Allyson Vaulxat at Avaulx@feedingsouthflorida.org or 954.518.1818 x1852.