Every September, Hunger Action Month invites Americans to look directly at a problem that is often hidden in plain sight.
Hunger is not always obvious.
It may look like a parent skipping dinner so children can eat, a senior stretching groceries until the next Social Security check arrives, or a working family standing in a store aisle and deciding whether to buy food, medicine, or gas.
For many people, hunger is not a one-time emergency. It is a constant source of stress that affects everything from health to learning to work.
Hunger Action Month was founded by Feeding America in 2007 as a national campaign to raise awareness of food insecurity and encourage people to take meaningful action. Feeding America describes the campaign as a movement built by donors, volunteers, food banks, farmers, advocates, businesses, and neighbors all coming together. The message is simple — that ending hunger takes all of us.
Food insecurity and hunger are growing problems in the U.S. and around the world. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reported that about 18.3 million U.S. households were food insecure at some point in 2024. The same report found that 5.4 percent of households experienced very low food security, meaning that eating patterns were disrupted and food intake was reduced due to limited resources. Feeding America also reports that 48 million people in the United States face hunger, including 14 million children.
Food insecurity is different from the temporary feeling of being hungry before a meal. It means a household lacks reliable access to sufficient nutritious food for an active, healthy life. A food-insecure family may have food in the refrigerator one week and very little the next. They may rely on cheaper, less nutritious foods because healthier choices cost more. They may water down soup, stretch leftovers, skip fresh produce, or cut portion sizes to make groceries last. Parents often try to shield children from the worst effects, but the strain is real for the whole household.
Hunger is also tied to many other challenges. High rent, medical bills, transportation problems, job loss, and rising grocery prices can push households into crisis.
In rural areas, families may live far from grocery stores or food pantries. In cities and towns, families may have stores nearby but not enough income to buy what they need. Seniors may be isolated, students may struggle to focus in class, and adults may face health problems made worse by poor nutrition.
September is a time for this call to action. Families are adjusting to the costs of a new school year, summer meal programs have ended, and food banks often face continued demand after months when children were home from school. Hunger Action Month gives communities a shared moment to organize, educate, and respond. It encourages people to donate, volunteer, fundraise, and partner with local organizations, and to talk openly about hunger without shame or judgment.
Awareness is important, but awareness alone is not enough. The purpose of Hunger Action Month is to move from concern to action. One person may not be able to solve hunger alone. Still, one person can make a difference by supporting an organization, starting a food drive, helping a neighbor, or contacting a lawmaker. Small actions become powerful when they are repeated and shared.
Take Action
1. Donate money to local food banks. Financial gifts are often the most efficient way to help. Food banks can buy in bulk, obtain high-demand items, transport food, and respond quickly to changes in demand. Even a small monthly donation creates dependable support. If you are unsure where to give, start with the food bank or pantry that serves your county or region.
2. Give food thoughtfully. Food drives can be very helpful when they are planned with the receiving organization. Before collecting items, ask the pantry what it needs most. Common useful donations include peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, beans, rice, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, canned vegetables, low-sodium soup, shelf-stable milk, baby food, formula, and personal-care items. Avoid expired food, damaged packaging, and products in glass containers unless the pantry specifically accepts them.
3. Volunteer your time. Food banks and pantries need people to sort donations, pack boxes, stock shelves, greet guests, deliver meals, and help with mobile distributions. Families, students, retirees, churches, civic groups, and coworkers can all serve. If you cannot lift boxes or travel easily, ask about remote tasks such as making phone calls, writing thank-you notes, helping with data entry, or promoting events online.
4. Support school and summer meal programs. Children need dependable nutrition to learn, grow, and participate fully in school. Communities can support breakfast programs, weekend backpack programs, after-school snacks, summer meal sites, and school pantry partnerships. These programs help reduce the burden on families and make sure children do not lose access to food when school schedules change.
5. Advocate for strong nutrition programs. Charitable food assistance is essential, but food banks cannot end hunger on their own. Public programs such as SNAP, WIC, school meals, senior nutrition programs, and emergency food assistance help families buy groceries and reduce pressure on local charities. Advocacy can be as simple as learning how these programs work, sharing accurate information, contacting elected officials, or supporting policies that help people afford food.
6. Reduce food waste and share surplus safely. Households can plan meals, freeze leftovers, use older pantry items first, and donate unopened shelf-stable foods before they expire. Farms, restaurants, grocery stores, schools, and businesses can partner with food rescue groups that understand food safety rules and distribution logistics. When safe food is redirected rather than discarded, it can help feed people while reducing waste.
7. Organize others. Hunger Action Month is stronger when people act together. A workplace can hold a virtual food drive. A school can collect weekend backpack items. A church or service club can sponsor a pantry shelf. A neighborhood can gather hygiene products, diapers, or culturally appropriate foods. Organizing turns individual concern into community impact.
8. Use your voice. Wear orange, share information about local food banks, post volunteer opportunities, invite friends to donate, and speak about hunger with compassion. Language matters. People facing food insecurity deserve respect, not stigma. When we talk about hunger as a community challenge rather than a personal failure, we make it easier for people to seek help and easier for others to join the solution.
The greatest value of Hunger Action Month is what it can start. A single donation can become a monthly gift. A one-day food drive can become an annual tradition. A first volunteer shift can become regular service. A September conversation can become year-round advocacy. Hunger does not end when the month ends, so our commitment should not end either.
Fighting hunger is not solely the task of food banks or government agencies. It is a shared responsibility among communities, businesses, schools, faith groups, families, and individuals. Every meal matters. Every volunteer hour matters. Every policy decision matters. Every act of kindness matters. During Hunger Action Month, we are reminded that hunger is solvable when enough people choose to care and act.
This September, we can all play a part. We can give what we can, serve where we are needed, and invite others into the effort. Hunger Action Month is not just about recognizing a problem. It is about building a movement of neighbors helping neighbors until every person has consistent access to enough nutritious food.
