Food Bank highlights community solutions during Hunger Action Month

First the bad news: Hunger continues to threaten 49 million Americans, including 1 in 7 people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Now the good news: There’s something you can do about it.

Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank hopes to draw attention to both the persistent problem of hunger and the steps we can all take to solve it during Hunger Action Month 2015.

“Hunger is a problem that shouldn’t exist — it’s that simple,” said Feeding America West Michigan CEO Ken Estelle. “There’s more than enough food to go around. We just need to get it to those in need, and the community has a big role in that.”

Throughout the month of September, Feeding America West Michigan will join food banks across the country in presenting quick and simple ways for people to become part of the solution to local hunger. Those “Hunger Action Challenges” include volunteering an hour of time, donating $5 and sharing a #SolveHungerSelfie on social media.

In all, Feeding America West Michigan is presenting six Hunger Action Challenges this September:

Give: Donate $5 to provide 20 meals in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Ride: Walk or bike for Feeding America West Michigan at the Ride For Refuge, Oct. 3.

Serve: Volunteer one hour at the Food Bank to provide as many as 150 meals.

Post: Raise awareness by sharing a #SolveHungerSelfie on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Drink: Raise a glass for the Food Bank at New Holland Brewing Company’s Rocktoberfest, Sept. 29.

Wear: Buy Feeding America West Michigan apparel from Hold On To Hope, and 25 percent of the purchase price supports hunger relief.

“The goal is to make hunger relief accessible to people who may never have set foot in the Food Bank before,” Estelle said. “We truly believe our community has the ability to provide enough food to everyone, but it’s going to take a community effort.”

To find out more about Hunger Action Month, visit FeedingAmericaWestMichigan.org.