National Hunger Awareness Day 2006

From “Confronting Poverty,” an initiative of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA; www.jewishpublicaffairs.org)

June 1, 2006

National Hunger Awareness Day was created to raise consciousness about the problem of hunger in America. This year grassroots organizations across the country will host events on June 6^th to raise awareness about the solvable problem of hunger in America. Domestic hunger is a growing concern, and it is imperative that advocates work together to help ensure that there are enough resources to feed hungry Americans. With 38 million Americans already threatened by food insecurity, Americans are using this day to call on their legislators for help. To find out about national and local events related to National Hunger Awareness Day, as well as further information about the scope of the problem, visit www.hungerday.org.

To shine a spotlight on this troubling phenomenon, America’s Second Harvest Network produced "Hunger in America 2006," a comprehensive profile of the incidence and nature of hunger and food insecurity in the U.S. The study provides extensive demographic profiles of emergency food clients at charitable feeding agencies and comprehensive information on the nature and efficacy of local agencies in meeting the food security needs of clients. The study is the largest of its kind, with more than 52,000 individuals sharing their personal stories through face-to-face interviews at charitable emergency hunger-relief agencies like pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. Nearly 31,000 local emergency hunger-relief agencies completed survey questionnaires about their efforts to serve millions of hungry Americans. Click here to be linked to the study.

Chronic hunger is a problem faced by Americans of all ages. Over one-third of all client households served have at least one child under the age of 18. This is particularly troubling because of the impact it has on children: impeding growth and development, is likely to cause adverse health conditions, and is associated with behavior problems among preschoolers and school-age children. The Fiscal Year 2007 Agriculture Appropriations bill passed the House of Representatives on May 23^rd by a vote 378-46. Its passage clears the path for Senate subcommittee action, expected soon after Congress returns from their Memorial Day recess. The House bill contains a number of positive provisions. It includes a rejection of Administration proposals that would have eliminated the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and limited WIC Program eligibility and administration. However, the bill failed to provide funding to expand the Simplified Summer Food Program, which ensures that low-income children have access to nutritious meals during the summer months when school is out. When the bill is discussed in the Senate, advocates will push to retain funding for this valuable program.

Suggested Hunger Awareness Day Activities:

• Call your Members of Congress (202-224-3121) and ask them to adequately fund nutrition programs as they move forward with appropriations.
• Ask your Mayor to issue a Hunger Awareness Day proclamation that discusses hunger in your area and the importance of federal nutrition programs to your community
• Write a letter to the editor about the troubling problem of food insecurity
• Take your Members of Congress to visit programs in your community before or after Hunger Awareness Day.

For further information, contact Sarina Fogel at (202) 789-2222, ext. 102 or by email at sfogel@thejcpa.org with questions.