D.C. Hunger Solutions: Working Hard to Fight Hunger

Think of eight people you know. Not that hard right?

Now imagine one out of those eight struggling with hunger--that's a thought that is much more difficult to face.

However, nearly 1 out of 8 households struggle with hunger, with uncertain or limited access to, or ability to buy, healthy and nutritious food in DC.

Founded by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)in 2002 to improve food security in DC, D.C. Hunger Solutions strives to "improve the nutrition, health, economic security, and well-being of low-income District residents."

Specifically, D.C. Hunger Solutions works to:

• Improve public policies to end hunger, reduce poverty, promote nutrition, curb obesity, and increase the availability of healthy, affordable food in low-income areas
• Maximize participation in all federal nutrition programs (SNAP/Food Stamps, school meals, early childhood nutrition programs, WIC, and summer meals)
• Educate the public about both the stark reality of hunger's existence in the midst of plenty and the real opportunities for effective solutions

During the summer, a focus of D.C. Hunger Solutions is the DC Free Summer Meals Program, a federal nutrition program administered locally by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. This FABULOUS and FREE program serves all children ages 18 and younger and provides them with free food during the summer months. Children and teens can just show up at a site (i.e. DPR centers, libraries, DC Public Schools, charter schools, and houses of worship) during meal time to receive a FREE meal. Breakfast and lunch are the most common meals served although dinner is served at some sites.

Although the full time staff at D.C. Hunger Solutions may be small (currently six individuals, including three Americorps VISTAs), they can obviously accomplish a lot! To find out more, visit the D.C. Hunger Solutions website.

DC Free Summer Meal Program basics

2014 National Kick-Off Event for Feds Feed Families!

On June 2, 2014, USDA Secretary Vilsack and other federal executive leaders came together at a People's Garden in DC (at the Department of Agriculture) to help "knock out hunger." The event was the official kick-off for Feds Feed Families (FFF), a federal government-wide effort led by the Chief Human Capital Officers Council to collect food for the hungry during the summer.

As the National Program Manager for FFF reminded the audience, "Hunger is a real struggle. Donations drop during the summer but demand rises." Food donations are essential during the summer months when children and youth are not able to participate in the free breakfast and lunch programs. In fact, 1 in 6 people in the United States currently do not have enough access to food. And according to the Food Research Action Council's Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation (PDF), the District of Columbia's 2013 summer feeding program reached 57.9 of every 100 children and youth served during the school year free meal programs.

During the 2013 Fed Feed Families campaign, federal employees donated 8.9 million pounds of food. Although FFF did not set a specific goal for 2014, the speakers were confident that this year's donations would surpass last year's. FFF collections take place all over the United States from June 1 to August 27. During this time, federal employees are encouraged to donate commodities, canned goods, or make financial contributions to help feed our nation. In the DC metro area, donations will go to the Capital Area Food Bank. Each year CAFB serves 500,000 people. Donated before? Know how much you donated last year and beat your best! Haven't donated before? Then donate this year and help your neighbors enjoy summer and not worry about access to food!

More information is on the Feds Feed Families Facebook page.