STATEHOUSE — Members of the General Assembly have joined forces in the fight against Hoosier hunger. Partnering with Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the lawmakers are working to raise awareness and assist with the state’s domestic hunger relief efforts through the month of February.
All four caucus leaders participated in a public service announcement which can be viewed at: http://youtu.be/cqfNSUt6pXw (30 seconds) or http://youtu.be/m9Z4ba-ilew (60 seconds) to kick off the month of awareness.
“Hoosier families have been forced to cut back recently, and unfortunately, we have seen that nutritional meals are often the first thing on the chopping block,” said Rep. VanNatter.
In 2011, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report states that 13 percent Hoosier households are food insecure. Today, one in four Hoosier children, an estimated 358,000 statewide, experience a lack of accessible nutrition required for a healthy lifestyle. In addition, more than one million Hoosiers statewide are at risk of hunger.
“The number of Hoosiers who are food insecure is staggering,” said Rep. VanNatter. “This year, I would like to call on all Hoosiers to take a firm stand against hunger and join the efforts of Feeding Indian’s Hungry and local food pantries in putting food on the table for Hoosiers.”
The Feeding Indiana’s Hungry organization sponsors 11 regional food banks, each serving a specific geographic area. The food banks supply food to more than 1700 local soup kitchens, homeless shelters, church pantries, day cares and other nonprofits. Each food bank supplies roughly 117,900 Hoosiers with food assistance each week.
To join in the fight against hunger, there are many ways to participate. Hoosiers in the Clinton County area can drop off non-perishable food items at Mission International, 918 W. Armstrong St. in Franklin. In addition, those seeking more donation options can go to http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/countyfb.cgi?county=Clinton-County&state=IN.
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