Month of special events and promotions encourages Houstonians to help in fight against hunger

On any given day, more than 1 million people in southeast Texas are food insecure, meaning they do not have reliable access to nutritious food to fuel a regularly healthy lifestyle. Through its network of more than 1,500 community partners, the Houston Food Bank addresses food insecurity by providing food assistance across its 18-county coverage area in southeast Texas. But the food bank doesn’t do it alone – they rely on the help and action of others to complete their mission.

To bring awareness to the important issue of hunger and with the ultimate goal of a world without food banks, the Houston Food Bank and hunger relief agencies across the country have designated September as Hunger Action Month. And Friday, September 17 is Hunger Action Day® 2021.

“There is a quote that I particularly like that I think is powerful in its simplicity: ‘Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something,’” says Brian Greene, president/CEO of the Houston Food Bank. “It speaks to the importance of what all individuals can do with their time, talent and resources. 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. 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.”

Special activities and events the Houston Food Bank has planned for Hunger Action Month are:

National Food Bank Day – September 3
Senator John Cornyn and Congressman Al Green will answer the question “how can we move towards a world that doesn’t need food banks”– The videos will be posted to Houston Food Bank’s social media on September 3.

Whataburger serving breakfast to Houston Food Bank employees – September 1, 7:30 am
Whataburger is a great supporter of Houston Food year-round and especially during Hunger Action Month. As a special treat for the hard work of the HFB employees, Whataburger will serve lunch on September 1 to kick-off Hunger Action Month.

Houston City Hall will be colored orange – September 14 & 15
The official color of hunger relief is orange, and in support of Hunger Action Month and Houston Food Bank’s efforts, City of Houston will illuminate our City Hall building in orange September 14 & 15. Stop by and take a “selfie” to post to social media, with hashtag #hungeractionmonth! The colorful bridges over US 59 and at IAH airport will also be illuminated orange.

Houston Food Bank will have more than 110 groups and more than 2,300 volunteers during Hunger Action Month, from corporations to faith-based groups to families, businesses, schools, alumni groups and more. Volunteers will work cleaning, sorting, boxing and/or bagging products for distribution to clients who reside in our 18-county service area. Among some of the groups currently scheduled are:

  • Houston Astros (25 volunteers) – September 28, 8:30 am to noon
  • AmRisc (70 volunteers) – Hunger Action Day, September 17, 1-4pm
  • United Airlines (75 volunteers at each shift) 5 shifts on September 29: 8 am – noon; 8:30 am – noon; 1 – 4 pm; 1:30 – 4 pm; 6 – 9 pm
  • Houston Methodist — “I Care In Action” initiative continues with multiple volunteer opportunities each week through September.
  • Other groups include UT School of Dentistry, SYSCO, Staples-Houston, Houston Chinese Alliance, Houston Jeep Gang, University of Houston American Medical Women’s Association, Junior League of Houston, among others.

Houston Food Bank will have interactive food justice activities and other learning opportunities available in our lobby and volunteer areas throughout the month of September starting on the 1st. Volunteers will learn about myths of food insecurity and what critical policy changes are brewing in Congress. They will also get an opportunity to contact their legislators to support the Enhanced Access To SNAP Act (EATS) as the issue of hunger among college students, particularly in historically black colleges and universities, will be featured in our lobby.

Community organizations that combat food justice will be featured on HFB’s social media on September 15th and 19th. Plant it Forward “empowers refugees to develop sustainable urban farming businesses that produce fresh, health food for [their] community.” https://plantitforward.farm/ Ivy Leaf Farms in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Houston is “dedicated to neighborhood beautification while creating sustainable food access.”

Houston Food Bank’s Hunger Game – September 6-26
The Houston Food Bank’s Hunger Game is a peer-to-peer competition in which participants come
together as a group to compete against other groups in our community. The overall goal of the
competition is to produce the most meals possible for our 18-county service area by volunteering,
fundraising and hosting a food drive.

Participants will be awarded points for financial and food contributions and volunteering their time at the Houston Food Bank as follows:

  • 1 lb. of food = 1 point
  • $1 = 3 points
  • 1 volunteer = 50 points

Bonus Meals Opportunities:

  • 250 bonus points for Early Registration by Friday, August 20, 2021
  • 250 bonus points for posting a picture on Social Media explaining why your team is fighting hunger during Hunger Action Month
  • 25 points for sharing a Houston Food Bank Facebook post (limit 2 per week)
  • Double bonus points for every volunteer attending Volunteer Bonus Days

Key Hunger Game Dates
September 6 – Hunger Game Kickoff Bonus Shift (ages 6+) 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
September 15 – Warehouse Wednesday Bonus Day (all day) (ages 6+)
September 23 – Thursday Night Bonus Shift 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (ages 6+)
September 24 – Hunger Game ends
September 26 – Food and financial donations due at Houston Food Bank (Portwall Warehouse)

9/11 Week of Service and Remembrance at the Houston Food Bank – 8am-12pm
Each year, Points of Light commemorates 9/11 National Day of Service as part of an ongoing campaign to engage people in signature events that inspire, equip and mobilize volunteers to give back to their communities. University of Houston (group of 10) is participating 8 am to noon.

Make Double the Impact with Your Donations!
We have the perfect match for you! Starting September 1, donations can make double the impact thanks to a generous friend of the Houston Food Bank, who will match online donations up to $100,000 through September 30. Generous gifts will go twice as far to provide food for better lives. Visit houstonfoodbank.org in September to learn more.

Third Annual Huddle Against Hunger Kick-off – September 14
Houston Texans, Kroger and Houston Food Bank are launching the 3rd year of Huddle Against Hunger at J. Ruth Smith Elementary School on September 14. Huddle Huddle Against Hunger is a free curriculum designed to provide information on hunger and poverty to elementary, middle and high school students.

Amplify your digital voice during Hunger Action Month
Using your voice during Hunger Action Month is as simple as sharing a picture, a post or a tweet in support of hunger relief and helping our neighbors achieve long-term stability. During September, use #foodforbetterlives on social media to shine a light on the reality of food insecurity.

Be an Advocate for Hunger!
Food Bank friends can help by communicating with their elected officials on Child Nutrition Reauthorization. Several stand-alone bills have already been filed and referred to committee. Go to the “Advocacy” section on houstonfoodbank.org for specific calls to action. Within this section on our website, those passionate about policy change can find information on hunger and poverty related legislation, and how they can contact their elected officials.

How else can the public help?

  • “Like” Houston Food Bank on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram at @HoustonFoodBank, to get ongoing information on events, promotions and announcements.
  • Update Facebook status to share a hunger fact with friends and colleagues to raise awareness.
  • Volunteer at Houston Food Bank or one of its member agencies.
  • Make a donation! For every $1 donated to Houston Food Bank, they can provide a person with a full day of meals!