NASHVILLE - September is Hunger Action Month, and Tennesseans are being asked to step up and volunteer this Friday, Sept. 9, during the AARP's National Day of Service. This year, AARP is teaming up with state food banks and Walgreens to help fight hunger.
AARP Tennessee President Margot Seay says the state is at the top of the list of those with hunger issues.
"It's a particular interest to those in AARP, because Tennessee ranks fourth of the top 15 states with the highest rate of food hardships, where people are having to decide what bills they pay, what medications they take, before they buy food."
She adds while more than 1.2 million Tennesseans are receiving SNAP or food stamps, about one-third of seniors who qualify for them don't apply. AARP is teaming up with Walgreens, with more than 300 Tennessee locations, to distribute more information about the SNAP program and its "Drive to End Hunger" campaign.
The "Drive to End Hunger" campaign is targeting hunger among older adults with donations, food drives, and volunteer recruitment, although Seay points out that the problem affects people of all ages.
"Food insecurity hits multiple generations; could be people that you don't really suspect are having to think about what they're going to buy for dinner that night, or that they might go to bed hungry."
One in six Tennesseans faces the threat of hunger every day. Seay hopes the National Day of Service will make more people aware of the issue, and perhaps volunteer to help.
"I think it's built an awareness of what a terrific job our Feeding America food banks are doing, all across the state."
Donations during the Day of Service can be made at Walgreens stores September 9 through 11. Seay says local food banks are also in need of volunteers to lead food drives and sort donations.
To learn more, visit aarp.org and drivetoendhunger.org. |
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