Snap a “Selfie” for Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month, and FOOD Share is asking everyone to share the message that 1 in 6 Ventura County residents is still food insecure.  That’s 136,000 of our children, families, and seniors who lack, at times, enough food for a healthy lifestyle. 

 To spread this message, FOOD Share is calling on the community to create and post “selfies” with plates to raise awareness of the remaining need in Ventura County and the number of people who struggle to put food on the table come meal time.  Using the hashtag #Share16, children, adults, families, and seniors can pose with an orange plate (the official color of Hunger Action Month) or any plate that has meaning to them, and then share why they support hunger alleviation.  If every individual, family, and business takes a selfie to Share16 during Hunger Action Month, FOOD Share will generate the awareness and support it needs to continue to feed the 1 in 6 hungry friends and neighbors who need their help. 

Solving hunger is not a challenge that FOOD Share can tackle alone – it’s a community wide effort that requires the support and partnership of countless individuals and organizations across Ventura County,” said Bonnie Atmore, President and CEO of FOOD Share.  “Hunger Action month is a great opportunity to elevate awareness and engage new supporters in the Share16 movement.  We’ve made amazing progress as a community toward solving hunger, but we still have a long way to go to ensure that we’re not only feeding the line, but shortening it as well.” 

 Through the launch of its Share16 initiative, involvement of local businesses and corporations, and the support of the community, FOOD Share was able to collect and distribute 11,591,863 pounds of food, or 9,659,886 meals between July 2015 and June 2016.  But a significant meal gap still remains, and FOOD Share needs Ventura County’s help to restock its shelves before the busy holiday season.  In addition to posting selfies, there are many other ways to get involved in Hunger Action Month by supporting the Share16 initiative.  

How to Share16 for Hunger Action Month:

Share a Donation: $16 gives our hungry children, families, and seniors access to nutritious food for one week.  Visit http://www.foodshare.com/donatenow/ to donate today.   

Share Food: Food drives run by organizations, clubs, schools, neighborhoods and businesses are essential to helping FOOD Share feed our community.  Visit http://www.foodshare.com/food-drives/ for information on how to organize your own food drive.

Share the Message: Take an orange plate selfie and use the hashtag #Share16 to spread the word that 1 in 6 Ventura County residents is still food insecure. Visit FOOD Share on Facebook to see examples.

Stroll the sidewalks of Ventura Harbor Village for the Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival the weekend of Sept. 10-11, and enjoy the vibrant displays of chalk art, painting, photography, pottery, sculptures and more. The signature FOOD Share event will feature more than 50 regional artists. All event net proceeds will benefit FOOD Share.

Join FOOD Share and the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for the Hunger Action Month proclamation on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. in the Ventura County Government Center’s Hall of Administration.

Share the Fun: Join FOOD Share for its first inaugural Blue Jean Ball on Thursday September 15th at the beautiful Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms.  Wear your blue jeans, walk the denim carpet, and enjoy live music, dancing, and an expansive line-up of local food and beverages.  Visit http://www.foodshare.com/event/blue-jean-ball/ to get tickets before the event sells out!   

 For more information on Ventura County’s hunger alleviation efforts for Hunger Action Month, visit www.foodshare.com.