When is National Food Bank Day?
The first Friday in September is National Food Bank Day.
What is National Food Bank Day?
Americans haven’t solved the hunger problem—not by a long shot. National Food Bank Day reminds us to support food pantries as they alleviate hunger and promote tools for self-sufficiency.
Why do we need food banks? The cost of living goes up, but wages often don’t. The unemployed and underemployed struggle to make ends meet. The result is what they call “food insecurity,” which happens when folks don’t know how they’ll get their next nutritious meal.
Not all food insecure households will show it either. Plenty of people in need struggle to admit it even to themselves. They could be your neighbors, your friends, even your family. Some groups are at greater risk of hunger, such as children, seniors, and folks in rural areas.
That’s where food pantries enter the picture. They ease the hunger burden while helping people become more self-supporting, and we celebrate their efforts on National Food Bank Day.
Facts about National Food Bank Day!
- The world’s first official food pantry was St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, Arizona, established in 1967. It founded National Food Bank Day in 2017 on its 50th anniversary.
- The food pantry chain Feeding America estimates that 41 million Americans experienced food insecurity in 2016. That’s 1 in 8 Americans. That’s a lot.
- A 2015 survey found that 72% of food banks felt underprepared to meet the needs of their communities.
How to celebrate National Food Bank Day:
Donate food, capital, or your own time to local food banks to support the food insecure in your community.
What’s the hashtag for National Food Bank Day?
Promote your local food bank by using #NationalFoodBankDay on social media.