Because I am a twenty-something woman living on my own, working an entry level job, and contemplating going to grad school I am forced to live on a tight budget. But, no matter how small my budget is, I have never gone without a meal.
While we may joke around on the blog and share food indulgences, we are thankful everyday for the opportunity to not only share our recipes with the public but to simply be blessed with food on our table.
Bethany and I are so proud to have a positive avenue here at The Twenty-Something's Table to raise awareness about hunger. We hope that the information that follows not only educates you on hunger around the world, in the United States, and in Minnesota but motivates you to give back to those in need.
Hunger Facts
Undernourishment kills more people every year than malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS combined.Almost 1 billion people across the globe will go to bed hungry tonight, 200 million of them are children and 852 million of them live in developing countries.
1 in 6 people in the United States face hunger.
20 million children in the United States receive free or reduced-price lunches at school. Only half of them receive breakfast and only 10% have access to summer food programs.
30% of senior citizens living in the United States that receive food assistance reported having to choose between food and medical care and 35% reported choosing between heat and utilities versus food.
40% of surplus food is thrown out in the United States every year. That is enough to feed 25 million people.
85% of food shelves in Minnesota reported an increase in the number of clients needing food assistance in the past 5 years.
The number of Minnesotans that are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has doubled since 2006.
In 2012, 1 in 8 Minnesotans reported times in the past year when they did not have enough money to buy food.
2 out 5 Minnesotans seeking emergency hunger relief are children under the age of 18.
What You Can Do to Eliminate Hunger
Make a monetary donation to your local food shelf or to organizations like Second Harvest Heartland that work to eliminate hunger.
Volunteer your time to a local food shelf.
Organize a food drive at your school or place of work.
Support food assistance legislation by contacting and encouraging your local representatives to endorse bills that build a better future for food programs in your state or county.
Regularly go through your pantry to collect food items you will not be using and donate before the expiration.
Make a food plan every week (click here for some Twenty-Something tips on meal planning) to ensure that you are not wasting food and resources.
Be thankful for every meal.
Contact Bethany and Whitney about helping with The Twenty-Something's Table event to fight hunger in Minnesota (read below).
Volunteer your time to a local food shelf.
Organize a food drive at your school or place of work.
Support food assistance legislation by contacting and encouraging your local representatives to endorse bills that build a better future for food programs in your state or county.
Regularly go through your pantry to collect food items you will not be using and donate before the expiration.
Make a food plan every week (click here for some Twenty-Something tips on meal planning) to ensure that you are not wasting food and resources.
Be thankful for every meal.
Contact Bethany and Whitney about helping with The Twenty-Something's Table event to fight hunger in Minnesota (read below).
The Twenty-Something's Table Fights Hunger
Later this fall The Twenty-Something's Table will be hosting an event to raise awareness about hunger in Minnesota and collect donations for local food shelves. Nothing is set in stone yet but we are looking for volunteers and corporate support. If you, someone you know, or your company would like to get involved please contact us! We would love to hear your ideas so don't be afraid to reach out via email (click our contact link at the top of the page) or in person to Bethany and Whitney. Also, while the event will be geared towards the twenty-something demographic, there is no age restriction on fighting hunger so please reach out to everyone you know and encourage them to contact us and get involved.
Much love-
Whit & Beth
http://www.stophungernow.org/hunger-facts
U.S. Agency for International Development
http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/agriculture-and-food-security
UNICEF
http://www.unicef.org/media/files/Child_Mortality_Report_2011_Final.pdf
Second Harvest Heartland
http://www.2harvest.org/site/PageServer
Much love-
Whit & Beth
Sources
Stop Hunger Nowhttp://www.stophungernow.org/hunger-facts
U.S. Agency for International Development
http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/agriculture-and-food-security
UNICEF
http://www.unicef.org/media/files/Child_Mortality_Report_2011_Final.pdf
Second Harvest Heartland
http://www.2harvest.org/site/PageServer
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