September is Hunger Action Month, here's what you can do to help
September is here marking the start of Hunger Action Month meaning food banks across the Mahoning Valley are looking to spread awareness on hunger in the Valley and beyond.
21 News caught up with Renee Fuller of Second Harvest Food Bank who has a suggestion of a fun way folks in the Valley can do their part to address the issue of hunger.
The food bank recently made a post on their Facebook page with a daily challenge where folks in the Valley are tasked with donating one food item per day with each day highlighting a different type of food.
From spaghetti noodles to cereal to peanut butter to dried herbs and spices, there's a food item for every day of the month.
These food items can be donated in a variety of places. Folks can visit Second Harvest Food Bank at 2805 Salt Springs Road or find one of their yellow barrels at other locations like Big Lots in both Niles and Boardman, as well as the Armstrong office in North Lima.
If you don't have any food to donate, you can always make a monetary donation to Second Harvest Food Bank. Representatives from the food bank will be at the Canfield Fair in the 21 WFMJ tent collecting donations all throughout Labor Day weekend.
If you miss out on that, you can always go to the food bank on Salt Springs Road or visit them at Baird Brothers in Canfield during the store's Red White and True customer appreciation event on September 30.
If you have a food donation to make when you visit Second Harvest at the Canfield Fair, you're encouraged to drop it off at the Junior Fair Office in the Event Center in order to help the Junior Fair Board fill their trailer to potentially win a statewide competition.
If you simply want to raise awareness, you're encouraged to wear orange on September 15, which is Hunger Awareness Day.
For folks in Mercer County, you can send your donations to the Community Food Warehouse of Mercer County (CFWMC) on Sharpsville Avenue in Sharon.
According to a press release from CFWMC, staff anticipates the food bank to double in size by the end of the year as a result of the increase of food insecurity in the area.
During the first half of 2023, CFWMC distributed 1.2 million pounds of food to those in need. A 67% increase from last year.
You can help by financially supporting the food bank. According to the release, for every $1 given, the food bank can provide three meals for families in need.
