Food insecurity is an issue that impacts the lives of over 1 million people living in southeast Texas. This September, hunger relief agencies like the Houston Food Bank, are working to bring awareness to the public through Hunger Action Month.  Servicing 18 counties across the city, the Houston Food Bank has scheduled events throughout September for Houstonians to take a stand against hunger.

“We can all play a role in helping reduce food insecurity – advocate, educate, volunteer or donate – all year round and especially during Hunger Action Month,” says Brian Greene, president and CEO of Houston Food Bank. “When we band together as a community, each doing our part to put in a piece of the puzzle, big changes can happen as we work towards a world that no longer needs food banks.”

More than 2,800 volunteers and 150 groups including the Houston Astros; Houston Chinese Alliance; Houston Methodist-I Care in Action; and  Junior League of Houston have already scheduled their help this month to prepare food products for distribution.

September 1. Local accounting firm BKD, LLP has scheduled 150 volunteers split between 2 shifts (8 a.m. to noon; 8:30 a.m. to noon). 

September 11. 9/11 Week of Service and Remembrance at the Houston Food Bank (8 a.m. to noon). Ten volunteers from the University of Houston and thirty from Comerica Bank have signed up for that day. 

September 14 & 15. Houston City Hall, the bridges over US 59 and the bridges at IAH airport will be lit up orange--the official color of hunger relief. Include #hungeractionmonth in your post if you take any pictures with the radiant buildings. 

September 17. On the official  Hunger Action Day, AmRisc has promised 70 volunteers from 1 to 4 p.m.

September 28. The Houston Astros have scheduled 25 volunteers from 8:30 a.m. to noon. 

September 29. United Airlines has scheduled 375 volunteers split between five shifts (8 a.m. to noon; 8:30 a.m. to noon; 1 to 4 p.m.; 1:30 to 4 p.m.; 6 to 9 p.m.)

Other ways you can help: 

• Donate! During the month of September, a generous donor to the Houston Food Bank will be matching all donations up to $100,000. For every $1 donated to Houston Food Bank, they will feed one person for an entire day. To learn how to donate go to: https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/.  
• Spread awareness online by using the hashtag #foodforbetterlives in your posts, stories, or tweets. 
• Advocate for the Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill by communicating with elected officials. The bill is passed every five years to improve child nutrition and school meal programs. The current law (the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010) expired in 2015 but continues to be used. Go to the “Advocacy” section on https://www.houstonfoodbank.org/ to learn more about what you can do. 
• “Like” Houston Food Bank on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HoustonFoodBank. 
• Share hunger facts on social media to raise awareness. 
• Volunteer at Houston Food Bank or one of its member agencies.

For more information on Houston Food Bank and Hunger Action Month, visit houstonfoodbank.org or call 713-223-3700.