Why focus on hunger?

As we go through our daily routines, living, working, and playing in a community as beautiful and abundant as Seattle and King County, it’s hard to think that anyone here, or in our great country, can possibly be going hungry – but it’s true.  Often an invisible problem, hunger and food insecurity affects 1 in 6 Americans – that’s 49 million people (Source).  Right here in King County 13% of our population is food insecure and 1 in 5 children in our community is at risk of going hungry (Source).

United Way of King County is shining a bright light on hunger and we’re asking everyone to think about their relationship to food.   Who has food, who doesn’t, where does your food come from… We’re encouraging people to sign up on our website to stand with us during Hunger Action Week on March 19-24.   When you do you’ll learn about ways you can get involved locally and you’ll be part of a movement that is helping to assure that everyone in our community is able to put nourishing food on the table.

How you can help

Sign up for Hunger Action Week.   Volunteer for local hunger relief, help us get a Food Security Count, learn more about the Hunger Relief Now! Plan, host a dinner party or potluck with friends and family using foods typically found at a food bank, or ask guests to bring non-perishable items to donate to your local food bank.  If you plan on hosting a food drive, contact your local food bank to see what they need and when you can deliver it.  If you’re participating in the Hunger Challenge, write about it and share your story with us at npeters@uwkc.org, and consider donating what you save this week on food.

Spread the word

A large part of what makes a public awareness campaign successful are concerned citizens like you spreading the word to family and friends.  Take a moment and shine your own light on hunger through your Facebook and Twitter (#hungerfreekc) and urge those who may not know that hunger exists here in King County to come to our website to learn more.

We are so grateful for all of the support from community partners who are helping us shine a light on the issue of hunger in King County: Full Circle Farm, Solid Ground & Cooking Matters, Girl Power Hour, Mrs. Pacific Northwest, University of Washington, King County Nurses Association, Diana Johnson author of Eating Richly, Keren Brown the Frantic Foodie, Stockbox Grocers, Washington Food Coalition, My Wallingford blog, The Phinney Neighborhood Association, KEXP, ParentMap, Rainier Valley Food Bank, SE Seattle FreedomNet and many more!

Stay tuned for a series of posts this week on how hunger is related to other food and health issues such as obesity, education, and agriculture.  We will also be following some notable Hunger Challenge takers as they reflect on their experience of living on a food stamp budget.  Thanks for your participation!