September is Hunger Action Month, and across the country, food banks are supporting one million actions to end hunger. Harvest Regional Food Bank kicked off National Hunger Action Month on Tuesday, August 27, with its annual Hunger Action Luncheon, held at noon at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church. The luncheon featured guest speakers and stirring testimonials about the impact of hunger relief, as well as honors for special friends and volunteers, including the Hunger Hero of the Year.
According to Camille Coker Wrinkle, CEO of Harvest Regional Food Bank, September is a time to raise awareness about food insecurity and inspire others to take action to fight hunger year-round. “Both Texas and Arkansas have some of the highest rates of food insecurity in the country, especially when it comes to hunger among children. These are our neighbors, the people we live, work and go to school with.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that one in seven people and one in five children experienced food insecurity in 2022. In the communities served by Harvest Regional Food Bank, food insecurity ranges from 13% in Bowie County to 18% in Nevada County.
“We can end hunger in America if we choose to work together, take coordinated action, and share a common belief that everyone deserves fresh, nutritious food,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “This year, during Hunger Action Month, we encourage everyone to take action. Raise your voice. Volunteer. Donate. Our individual actions may seem small, but together they become a powerful movement that can change history.”
About Harvest Regional Food Bank
Founded and based in Texarkana, USA, Harvest Regional Food Bank is the official Feeding America food bank for Bowie County in Texas and Miller, Lafayette, Hempstead, Little River, Sevier, Howard, Pike, Nevada and Columbia Counties in Arkansas. Harvest’s mission is to alleviate hunger in Southwest Arkansas and Northeast Texas through food distribution, education and advocacy. In 2024, Harvest distributed nearly 4.5 million pounds of food to a service area of nearly 60,000 food-insecure neighbors through a network of over 100 member agencies, schools, medical clinics and community programs. Their Mobile Pantry program addresses hunger in rural and underserved areas, while their Backpack Food, School Pantries and Out of School programs regularly deliver over 20,000 meals to students and their families. Harvest Regional Food Bank also serves thousands of food-insecure seniors each month through the Senior Food Box programs and reaches low-income medical patients with Diabetic Friendly Food Boxes through partner health clinics. For more information, visit www.harvestregionalfoodbank.org or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/harvesttxk.
