Join Us in Support of National Hunger Action Month

By: The GECU Cares Team

In September, communities across the country are committed to raising awareness about food insecurity and fighting hunger during Hunger Action Month. Over 38 million Americans or 1 in 8 people, including 12 million children, struggle to find their next meal.¹ Several organizations we partner with through GECU Cares are dedicated to combating hunger and serving those in need in different ways including Be Concerned, Meals on Wheels, Freestore Foodbank, and 9/11 Day to name a few. This month, we encourage you to join our efforts in support of Hunger Action Month by donating or volunteering. Many local nonprofits work to ensure every person in the Cincinnati Tri-State area has access to an adequate supply of nutritious, affordable food. Food insecurity happens 365 days a year; help us take on this cause in September and year-round so no one goes to bed hungry!

Be Concerned 

One of our 2023 Giveback Partners, Be Concerned (with locations in Covington and Erlanger, Kentucky), is a local food pantry deeply committed to honoring the dignity and humanity of people in need. Be Concerned focuses on helping individuals in Northern Kentucky obtain basic necessities for life. The organization places a high priority on the Choice Model, preserving the rights of individuals to choose what food items they receive by considering personal preferences. This model leads to higher success rates, less food waste, and happier clients, promoting a sense of pride and building self-esteem – critical for improved outcomes overall. The two Be Concerned Food Pantries are open at 9 am, Monday through Friday. Be Concerned always needs donations and volunteers to shop for clients and restock the pantries.

Meals on Wheels Cincinnati 

Meals on Wheels Cincinnati (serving the senior population in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky) is another organization we partner with regularly. The organization’s mission is to deliver essential services that promote the independence of seniors so they may remain in the comfort of their own homes. Living on a fixed income combined with rising food costs puts many seniors, especially those who live alone, at high risk for food insecurity. Meals on Wheels delivers meals to seniors who might otherwise go hungry. Each of their 32 meal options—prepared in a restaurant-grade kitchen—is tasty and nutritious. Snacks are also delivered as well as pet food for furry companions, making it possible for seniors to continue their daily routines. Meals on Wheels offers so much more than just a meal; it’s about seeing seniors thrive by providing much needed support and services. This is a fantastic organization and like most nonprofits, they are always looking for volunteers to make meals, pack snacks and pet food, and much more. Check out the Meals on Wheels website for more information.

9/11 Day

For the first time this year, GECU Cares Volunteers engaged in the September 11th National Day of Service with the nonprofit, 9/11 Day. The organization hosted their signature meal packing events in 18 cities across the country, including Cincinnati; the goal was to donate 6 million meals to individuals experiencing food insecurity in America and specifically the Tri-State. Hundreds of volunteers came together at the Xavier University Cintas Center to pack 250,000 meals for Shared Harvest Foodbank in Fairfield, Ohio. GECU was also proud to support this cause as an event sponsor and we can’t wait to do it again next year! Watch the video to learn more (Meal Packs – 9/11 Day (911day.org). Shared Harvest is part of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and affiliated with Feeding America (the largest charity in the USA); donations and volunteers are always needed and appreciated.

We hope you are inspired to get involved and give back during Hunger Action Month or anytime during the year. Here are a couple additional ways you can do your part to fight food insecurity.

• Volunteer at your local food bank. Most food pantries, meal programs, and soup kitchens rely heavily on volunteer support. Spending a few hours each month volunteering at a local food bank can make a huge difference to the families they serve.
• Host a food drive for a local food pantry. Local food banks, homeless shelters, and soup kitchens also depend on donations from people just like you to keep their shelves stocked. Food Drives are an excellent way to raise awareness about food insecurity and the tangible nature of gathering items often inspires others to take action.

We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about National Hunger Month and this important cause. If you get involved with one of the organizations above, tell us about it! Please email GECU Cares at: [email protected]

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