September is Hunger Action Month

Hunger Action Month is a nationwide initiative designed to mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger and join the movement to help end hunger! Here at MANNA FoodBank, we are asking: What does it mean to take action on hunger? This month, we have a few ways you can take action to raise awareness about the serious impact hunger has on so many people in our community, and across the country.

Hunger Action Month 2016 Calendar

Our Hunger Action Month calendar is a great way to see what opportunities are available to take action against hunger. There are big events happening across Western North Carolina in September that directly address the issue of hunger, like Ingles Day at the Mountain State Fair on September 14th, the Annual Hunger Walk in Henderson County on September 17th, and our Empty Bowls fundraiser on September 26th.

There are also smaller actions you can take throughout the month to address hunger on a personal level, such as taking the FNS (food stamp) challenge to eat on $4 for a day, eating at The Cantina in Biltmore Village and donating your side dishes as a donation to MANNA, use your smartphone to make a donation by texting ‘MANNA’ to 41444, or signing up to volunteer at MANNA or any of our 230 partner pantries across WNC. (You can find a list of our partner pantries on our Food Finder page.)

Download our Hunger Action Month calendar here to see what actions you can take in September to help us eradicate hunger.

Hunger Action Day: A Day of Action to End Hunger

This year, Hunger Action Day is September 8th. On Hunger Action Day, millions of people across the nation stand together to raise awareness for hunger. Nationally, 1 in 7 people struggle with hunger, and 1 in 5 children don’t have regular access to food. In WNC, 1 in 6 people are faced with hunger, and 1 in 4 children are not getting enough food.

Help us bring awareness to this issue by wearing orange. Orange is the color of hunger awareness, so sport your orange gear on September 8th, and let your family, coworkers, friends, and neighbors know that YOU are taking action, standing with millions across the country, united in the work to end hunger.

Join Our September Events

Hunger Action Day: Sept. 8th

Today is the day to wear orange and show your support for hunger relief. Join hunger relief advocates across the country today by wearing orange and bringing awareness to the issue of hunger. Share a photo of yourself on social media, explain why you are wearing orange, and encourage your friends and family to get involved with hunger relief efforts here in Western North Carolina.

Ingles’ Day at the Mountain State Fair: Sept. 14

Every year at the Mountain State Fair, Ingles Markets supports MANNA by offering Ingles Day, when attendees can bring 5 cans of Laura Lynn brand food and receive free entry into the fair. Last year, we collected a whopping 21,308 pounds of food at the Mountain State Fair – a new record for this event! If you plan on attending the fair this year, put Ingles Day on your calendar! www.wncagcenter.org

34th Annual Hunger Walk in Hendersonville: Sept. 17

Join the Henderson County Hunger Coalition’s 34th Annual Hunger Walk to raise awareness for the issue of hunger in Henderson County. The funds raised at the walk are distributed as grants to local food relief organizations to be used for food purchase and distribution. You can learn more about this event on the Henderson County Hunger Coalition’s Facebook page.

15th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser: Sept. 26

This year marks our 15th year of the Empty Bowls fundraiser, and it has become increasingly successful, thanks to our sponsors, the fabulous artists that donate over 1000 bowls, local restaurants that provide food and drinks, the talented musicians providing live entertainment, and, of course, YOU. You can read more about this year’s soiree, which is again broken into two events, here.

Drive Away Hunger in Sylva: Sept. 28

The Community Table of Jackson County is partnering once again with Andy Shaw Ford and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort for their annual fundraiser, Drive Away Hunger. Take a quick no pressure spin in a new Ford and help The Community Table raise $30 per test drive, at no cost to you. You can also enjoy a BBQ lunch for a minimum $7 donation, thanks to Chef Randy of Harrah’s. All proceeds benefit The Community Table to support food relief in Jackson County. Learn more about this event on The Community Table’s website.

Hunger Action Month Wrap Party at Highland Brewing: Sept. 29

Join us for the end of the month celebration! Highland Brewing will be donating $1 for every beer sold in the tasting room from 4-8PM to MANNA on September 29th. Come to Highland, and donate to a good cause while enjoying some of Asheville’s premier local brews.

Get Vocal: Raise Awareness on Social Media

What can’t you do on an empty stomach?

Write it on a paper plate and post a selfie to help the Feeding America network raise awareness for the millions of people who struggle with hunger.

Tag MANNA on Facebook, Twitter (@MANNAFoodBank) and Instagram (@manna_foodbank), and use the #HungerActionMonth hashtag, and join hunger fighters across the nation.