Maryland Food Bank: September Is Hunger Action Month

I just got this email from the folks at the Maryland Food Bank. They're making September a month of action against hunger. During September and October, there are a lot of things y'all can do around town to make a dent in hunger for the over 450,000 Marylanders who are at or below the poverty level (not to mention all those who are hovering just above it). I've copied and pasted their contact information below (all email addresses transmitted in the email have been deleted to prevent the MFB from receiving spam). Everything that follows is their text.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 28, 2009

CONTACT: Audra Harrison

Maryland Food Bank to Recognize September as Hunger Action Month

Events throughout the month will help raise awareness and support for ending hunger

BALTIMORE —September is Hunger Action Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness and support for ending hunger in the U.S. The Maryland Food Bank, along with corporate partners and our national affiliate Feeding America, will be recognizing Hunger Action Month through several events and programs throughout September to urge the public to help us end hunger in Maryland . Marylanders can easily donate to the Maryland Food Bank during Hunger Action Month online at our Virtual Food Drive (www.mdfoodbank.org).

While Maryland is often ranked the wealthiest state in the nation, the number of Marylanders that are hungry is startling. There are 455,000 Marylanders at or below the federal poverty level. This number is likely larger due to the working poor who utilize emergency food services to make ends meet and the effects of the economic recession on middle class families. Of those in need, the Maryland Food Bank and our network partners serve 370,000 individuals annually. To meet our goal of ending hunger in Maryland , the Maryland Food Bank would have to distribute 79 million pounds of food annually. In Fiscal Year 2009, we distributed 16.7 million pounds of food. Our goal for FY 2010 is to distribute 18.3 million pounds.

Food Facts: $1 provides more than three pounds of food, $1 provides more than two meals, and $5 provides two weeks worth of lunch to someone in need.

September Hunger Action Month Events

Macy’s Come Together for Hunger— Macy’s, in partnership with Feeding America, the Maryland Food Bank’s national affiliate, will launch their campaign to “Come Together” to end domestic hunger. Macy’s will also be hosting “The World’s Largest Dinner Party,” at 6pm on September 15, 2009, in Macy’s stores across the country. The in-store event will have customers join in the “first course” of the nationwide party to celebrate the launch of the “Come Together” campaign.

On Saturday, October 17, 2009, the 19 Macy’s stores in Maryland will be holding “Shop for a Cause” by asking customers to purchase special coupons for $5 with proceeds going to the Maryland Food Bank.

Pei Wei Asian Diner Restaurant, with locations in Columbia and Baltimore , MD will offer customers 50% off their new entrees with a donation of Ramen Noodles on September 9, 2009.

Maryland Seafood Festival, held at Sandy Point State Park , will be providing $2 for each ticket purchased online for several charitable organizations, including the Maryland Food Bank from September 11, 2009 – September 13, 2009. Additionally, any canned food donations at the festival will be collected to help “Sink the Ship” at the entrance of the festival.

Community Kitchen Groundbreaking—The Maryland Food Bank’s Community Kitchen groundbreaking will be held on September 15, 2009 at 10:00 AM at our Baltimore distribution center. The Community Kitchen will be an exciting new center that will train low-income men and women in food production skills while transforming donated prepared and perishable food into nutritious meals for hungry individuals and families in their communities.

Cianbro “Drive Out Hunger” Food Drive and Golf Tournament—Cianbro Corporation is doing their part to help end hunger by urging their team members, vendors, and customers to donate to the Maryland Food Bank. Cianbro will be holding its 1^st Annual Golf Tournament to “Drive Out Hunger.” The goal is to raise monetary donations as well as 100+ pounds of food. The golf tournament will be held on September 17, 2009 at Compass Point Golf Course in Anne Arundel County. Each player is asked to donate $50.00 to the Maryland Food Bank. Volunteers and guests not playing golf are asked to donate $20.00.

Progressive Corn for Kids—Progressive, a leading motorcycle insurer, will be giving away roasted corn on the cob during Delmarva Bike Week for a suggested donation of $1 an ear. Delmarva Bike Week runs from September 17, 2009 – September 20, 2009 and proceeds will benefit the Maryland Food Bank.

Hardhat Comedy Tour Sponsored by Volvo Rents—On September 24, 2009, the Hardhat Comedy Tour featuring Matt Kazam will come to Magooby’s Joke House in Carney, MD. Admission is free with a donation of three cans of non-perishable food to the Maryland Food Bank. For more information, visit www.hardhatcomedy.com or www.mattkazam.com.

Maryland Food Bank’s Partner Conference—On September 25, 2009, the Maryland Food Bank will bring together our more than 900 network partners and Maryland Food Bank management for a full day seminar with workshops, information stations, and networking opportunities.

Ellicott City Fall Festival—Historic Ellicott City will be accepting food and monetary donations for admission to activities at the Ellicott City Fall Festival on September 26, 2009 from 12:00 – 5:00 PM. All proceeds will benefit the Maryland Food Bank.

Cheesecake Factory’s “Share the Spirit” Campaign— On September 29, 2009 from 7:00 – 10:00 AM, the first 500 people to donate two cans of soup at the Columbia Mall Cheesecake Factory location will receive a free piece of the new “Stephanie’s Ultimate Red Velvet Cake Cheesecake.” On September 30, 2009, Cheesecake Factory guests that donate 2 cans of food will receive 10% off their check, with the proceeds benefitting the Maryland Food Bank.

Redner’s Markets “Bag Hunger” Campaign—Redner’s Market locations in Maryland will have a Point of Sale drive from August 30, 2009 – October 3, 2009. Customers will be asked to donate $1 at the register to help end hunger with all proceeds going to the Maryland Food Bank.

Weis Markets Hunger Campaign—Weis Markets will ask customers during the month of September to pick up a Fight Hunger donation bag at their stores and fill it with canned goods to donate to the Maryland Food Bank. Fight Hunger Vouchers will also be sold at every checkout with $3, $5, or $10 values, with 100% of the proceeds donated to the Maryland Food Bank.

The mission of the Maryland Food Bank is to lead the movement and nurture the belief that together we can improve the lives of all Marylanders by ending hunger. The Maryland Food Bank has facilities in Baltimore and Salisbury comprising nearly 107,000 square feet of warehouse, refrigerator and freezer space. The Maryland Food Bank, now in its 30^th year of operation, distributes more than 16.7 million pounds of food annually through its statewide network of food distribution agencies. The Maryland Food Bank is a member of Feeding America .