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Hunger is Everywhere and is a Challenge we can Overcome Together

While people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families, there are more people today experiencing hunger than ever before.

According to the latest data from Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study, the extra amount of money that people said they need to have enough food reached its highest poin

t in the last 20 years. The number of people living in food-insecure households increased to 44 million across the country, including 13 million children. In New York State, 1 in 7 people experienced food insecurity, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“At the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, we are experiencing record requests for food across our six-county service region, which mirrors the national and state level data,” explains Mark Bordeau, President & CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

“This September, during Hunger Action Month® we are highlighting the voices of the most recent graduates of our Community Advocates Program”, shares Bordeau. The Community Advocates Program is focused on building leadership skills among those who have experienced food insecurity.

Through the process, graduates of the Community Advocates Program are equipped to share their stories, with the goal of having them raise their voices in the work to end hunger.

Throughout this month we will be celebrating the most recent graduates from our Community Advocates Program. The advocates will share and highlight their perspectives on some of the many factors and issues that impact our communities. Stay tuned and follow along on our social media!

Hunger is a challenge we can overcome, let’s end hunger together. Every action counts – donate, advocate, volunteer, and spread the word.

September is Hunger Action Month®, an annual nationwide campaign across the Feeding America network designed to spread awareness and engage the public in the movement to end hunger. The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is a member agency of Feeding America.