Help End Hunger And Food Insecurity In Augusta – Take Action This Month

This month, you can take action to help end hunger in Augusta. September is Hunger Action Month. It's a month to bring more awareness to hunger and food insecurity all across the nation.

Feeding America's mission is to help end hunger because they believe: "When people are fed, futures are nourished. With access to nutritious foods, we can all reach our full potential."

According to Feeding America, 34 million people right here in the United States are food insecure. And 9 million of those people are children.  Just last year, 49 million people utilized food programs.  It may be hard to imagine, but every county in the United States deals with food insecurity.

While you may think hunger and food insecurity are the same, they aren't. Hunger is the feeling we get when we don't have food. Food insecurity refers to the lack of food necessary to live a healthy life due to a person's economic situation.

The USDA defines food insecurity as "the lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life."  Food insecurity can be temporary or a long-term problem for families.

During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment and food insecurity reached higher rates.  Families with children and communities of color are often affected the most by food insecurity. And many households facing this issue don't qualify for federal programs.  This leads many people to visit local food banks and food programs to get support.

Hunger and food insecurity can affect anyone.  Some could easily end up in a challenging situation due to job loss, a missed paycheck, medical emergency, or other life changing event. People you see every day could be dealing with hunger or food insecurity, you may never know.

Remember, it's not just about having food to eat.  Properly nourished people are able to not just survive, but thrive.  Hunger Action Month is about starting the conversations and taking a look at the underlying issues that lead to hunger and food insecurity.

This month, you can take action to help make sure no person goes without food.  There are many organizations that offer food programs throughout the Augusta area.  And some will host events this month.

There are many ways to help our community this month.  You can donate to a local food bank. You can visit and volunteer at a local food bank. And you can wear orange, the color that represents Hunger Action Month.

Golden Harvest Food Bank has many partners and programs in the Augusta area.  Visit their website and search using your address or zip code to find the location nearest you. You can also make a monetary donate or even start a virtual drive to help end hunger!

The Salvation Army of Augusta is collecting donations of non-perishable food items this month for the Center of Hope.  Donations can be dropped off at the Kroc Center, the Center of Hope, or any local Family Stores. You can also donate online here.

The Augusta Dream Center has the Dream Pantry, so families don't have to choose between rent or food.  They provide emergency food assistance and groceries for those in need  The Dream Pantry is open Tuesdays 10 a.m. to noon, Thursdays 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon.

They also host the Sunday Night Experience-- each Sunday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. they provide hot meals to the community free of charge.

The Augusta Dream Center is located at 3364 Peach Orchard Road in Augusta.  Get more information on their website.

There are many local churches and charities that have food banks or programs.  This includes numerous blessing boxes around the community!

A quick Google search of Augusta Food Banks brought up so many great resources!

Feeding America is a nationwide organization that works with various food banks and programs throughout the country.  They offer many ideas and ways you can help support their cause.