Take Action on Hunger in Oregon
Oregon's rate of hunger is one of the worst in the nation and is increasing midst the economic downturn. Here are six actions that you can take to improve the situation.
As we settle into the winter season and partake of enjoyable annual traditions like Thanksgiving dinner, we might be mindful of the families among us who are not so fortunate and who are at an even greater risk of food insecurity (or hunger) in these economically perilous times.
Oregon has one of the highest rates of hunger
in the country, according to the USDA. In fact, it is ranked third in
the nation
and has comporable rates of food insecurity to states like Mississippi.
Local food banks are seeing a significant increase in need. In some
areas of the state (such as Ontario) requests for emergency food have
increased by over 40 percent. With the sharp downturn of the economy,
more families are struggling to put food on their plates.
Read a report from Oregon Food Bank on the rise of hunger in our state.
What You Can Do
Here are six ways that you can act over the next few days to initiate meaningful solutions to eliminate hunger in our communities. (Adapted from the Food Research and Action Center.)
- Click here to share your vision of a hunger-free America with President-elect Obama as he invites your input on the Change.gov website. Share your enthusiastic support for his commitment to end childhood hunger by 2015 and to cut poverty in half.
- Call your Members of Congress toll-free at (800) 473-6711 and urge them to immediately pass a temporary boost in SNAP/Food Stamp benefits as a key step in their economic stimulus and recovery work. View a letter of support signed by national organizations in favor of a SNAP boost (pdf).
- Write a letter to the editor highlighting the recent USDA Food Insecurity data that shows hunger on the rise through 2007 - with worse projected to be in store for 2008. See a fact sheet on Oregon (pdf).
- Although hunger may be a focus during this holiday season, remember it occurs year-round, and peaks during the summer months when school meal programs stop. Tell our Members of Congress via e-mail, phone, or at meetings or forums while they are home, to expand and improve the federal child nutrition programs and WIC in the upcoming 2009 reauthorization.
- Make a donation of nonperishable food items to a local food bank. Items high in protein and items such as canned and boxed meals, pasta, rice, cereal, canned fruit, and 100% fruit juice are among the most wanted. Find a food bank near you.
- Make a donation to help support the community garden projects in Ontario and La Grande. These local gardens allow community members who are at risk to food insecurity to grow their own food. Additional produce is also donated to local food banks. These two projects are part of Oregon Rural Action's effort to provide a long-term solution to hunger and to get at its root cause. Make a donation now.
More information on Oregon Food Bank and hunger in Oregon:
The Oregon Food Bank website
OSU on hunger rates in Oregon
The full USDA food security report
