FOOD Shares hunger alleviation efforts recognized at Hunger Action Month proclamation

FOOD Shares hunger alleviation efforts recognized at Hunger Action Month proclamation

Online PR News – 11-September-2014 – A sea of orange balloons flooded the Ventura County Government Centers Hall of Administration Tuesday morning185 balloons, to be exact, each representing a food pantry in Ventura County that helps distribute more than 11 million-pounds of food FOOD Share raises each year.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors recognized September as Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign to mobilize the public to take action to battle hunger. FOOD Share staff, members of its Board of Directors, volunteers, agricultural leaders and the regional food banks partners from local public and private agencies were in attendance, most of whom were donning the color orange in honor of the hunger-relief efforts.

Its not okay that a majority of the 74, 500 people seeking FOOD Shares help each and every month are part of families with two full-time working incomes and are still not able to make ends meet, FOOD Share Board of Director Member Monica White addressed to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

According to a 2013 Map the Meal Gap study by Feeding America, more than 102, 000 people in Ventura County about 12.6 percent of the countys total population are food insecure, which reflects a gap of more than 20, 000 individuals who are not turning to the regional food bank for support.

Summing up the presentation, FOOD Share Board of Director Member Melissa Livingston said, We appreciate your involvement in FOOD Share and its activities addressing hunger awareness, advocacy and education. On behalf of the FOOD Share team, I offer a heartfelt thank you for your collective impact and engagement, because only together can we solve hunger in our community.

How to Take Action for Hunger Action Month:
Vote for FOOD Share to help Ventura Countys regional food bank win a $60, 000 funding grant from Walmarts Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign.
Finding simple ways at work and home to help feed the hungry, like hosting a neighborhood canned food drive with your kids, having potlucks and asking guests to bring canned food donations, or pack their lunches then donate the funds it would have cost to dine out to FOOD Share.
Stroll the sidewalks of Ventura Harbor Village for the Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival the weekend of Sept. 13-14, and enjoy the vibrant displays of chalk art, painting, photography, pottery, sculptures and more. The signature FOOD Share event will feature more than 50 regional artists. All event net proceeds will benefit FOOD Share.

For more information on Ventura Countys hunger alleviation efforts for Hunger Action Month, visit www.foodshare.com.

About FOOD Share:

More than 35 years ago, eight citizens performed a good deed by distributing food to those who were in need underneath a Ventura bridge. The early philanthropic movement quickly formed into what is now Ventura Countys regional food bank, FOOD Share, which has grown from serving a few hundred hungry people per month to 74, 500 people. Today, staff and volunteers distribute more than 10 million pounds of food annually from its distribution site; more than 180 partner agencies, which include neighborhood and church food distributions and soup kitchens; as well as hunger assistance programs. FOOD Shares programs provide healthy nutrition and education to children, families and seniors, which include: KIDS Share, SENIOR Share, Nutrition Education, Community Market, SoCal Gas CARE Program, ART Share and more. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, FOOD Share is a member of the Feeding America network, the nations largest hunger-relief organization. For more information about FOOD Share, visit www.foodshare.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.