Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture released new data regarding their Current Population (CPS) Food Security Survey from 2011. The USDA defines food security as having access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Sadly, the assessment results of food security showed that this is not only untrue for all people in our country, but that results were similar to past years—or showing further signs of low food security in some instances. This is illustrated by the fact that 50 million Americans struggled with hunger in 2011; 1 in 5 of them being children, which is consistent with a record-high trend over the past four years.

However, it is opportunistic timing that USDA released this information just yesterday, as September is Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month, and people around the country are encouraged to take action to spread hunger awareness throughout their communities. Although food security is clearly a pronounced problem in our country, you can help simply by spreading the word or donating a few hours to assist someone in your community.

What can you do?

• “Like” Feeding America on Facebook or follow them on Twitter to get updates about the organization and how they’re taking a stand against hunger
• #GoOrange today (Sept. 6, 2012) by wearing orange or updating your social media profile pictures to speak out against hunger with Feeding America
• Share a hunger fact to spread awareness about low food security in the U.S. Make sure to add a shoutout to #HungerFreeKC.
• Join Washington’s largest day of volunteerism by partaking in United Way of King County’s Day of Caring on Sept. 21, 2012, by finding a local food bank where you can spend your time.