The numbers can be overwhelming. During September, Hunger Action Month, we are reminded of those numbers. Across the country, one in nine people struggle with hunger. That will probably increase to one in six as the pandemic continues.
In Pender and Onslow counties, the food insecurity rates were already higher than the national average, even before the pandemic. Food insecurity is a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active healthy life.
While you may think that you can’t do enough to help everyone that needs it, you can certainly do enough to help just one. Remember the story of the child and the starfish?
A little girl was walking along the beach after a bad storm that had washed up thousands of starfish. The child pick up one of the starfish and threw it back into the ocean. People on the beach were watching her and thought her silly. A man walked up to her and asked why she was doing that. He told her she couldn’t possibly save all the starfish and couldn’t begin to make a difference.
Although the child was deflated at his comments, she bent down and picked up another starfish. As she tossed it back in the ocean where it belonged and where it could thrive once more, she said, “I made a difference for that one!” At that, all the people on the beach starting picking up starfish, one at a time, until they were all returned safely to their home in the ocean.
How can you make a difference? Take action against hunger. Each one, each person, each action makes a huge difference in your community.
You can learn more about hunger and how it affects people in Pender and Onslow counties. These are your neighbors, the working poor, the elderly, and all those individuals who struggle with paying bills and providing meals for their families.
Help Share the Table purchase milk, one of the most requested items from our clients. Your donation can make it possible for a child to have a glass of fresh milk on their table in the morning. Consider the Adopt a Shelf program to donate food and help keep our shelves stocked. Email us to learn more how you can make a difference with this program.
Teach your children about hunger and how they can make a difference. Lulu and the Hunger Monster is a great book for younger children, by Erik Talkin. In addition, Feeding America has age appropriate activities and suggestions for kids who want to make a difference in their own way.
The numbers are overwhelming, and they are getting bigger. More people are coming to us in need. To make sure we can help everyone, we need more space. We are developing plans for a new building so we can grow and expand our programs, including providing some educational sessions on nutrition. Please consider donating to our capital campaign. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a huge difference.
Our vision is a community where everyone has access to sufficient and nutritious food and a world that is educated, aware, and responsive to hunger related issues.
Will you be the one that makes a difference? Will you be a Hunger Hero?