[Antiracism] 6th Annual Hunger Awareness Day

[cjbSS at hampshire.edu]

6th National Hunger Awareness Day
Planning Meeting Notes
February 1, 2007, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts

More than 35 million Americans live on the brink of hunger.

May there be bread for those who are hungry,
and hunger for justice in those who have bread.


Next Meeting:  March 7, The Food Bank

Present:
WMA Community: Vickie Riddle, Bert Marshall, Andrea Ayvazian, Peter Wells, Rob
Wilson, Barbara Tiner, Tammie Butler, Kathy Bowler, Marilyn Paul-Lewis, Kathryn
Buckley-Brawner; Food Bank: Andrew Morehouse, Dale West, Tasha Moultrie, Megan
Pete, Jo Comerford

National Hunger Awareness Day Details
o	6th Annual remembrance
o	the actual day is June 5, 2007, but related events can occur before and after
June 5
o	a national initiative
o	sponsored by America’s Second Harvest (200 food banks nationwide)

The Food Bank’s Goals for National Hunger Awareness Day Goals
o	catalyze a grassroots movement to raise awareness about the solvable problem
of hunger in America
o	build a broad and diverse base of western Massachusetts allies working to end
hunger
o	identify long-term public policy/organizing initiatives to end hunger

Summary of the “What’s Possible for NHA Day?” Brainstorm:
[Not necessarily in the order in which it was discussed]

Guiding principles:
o	Hunger is a HUMAN issue
o	We should proceed “with” not “for” those most affected by hunger
o	We are looking for community food security
o	Hunger is solvable
o	We are all connected and complicit

Create a NHA Day Toolkit for communities:
We need a good mix of things that will raise awareness/educate about hunger and
offer concrete actions connected to a larger social change agenda
o	We need possibilities that are decentralized
o	We need many options for entry into this issue
o	Video lists
o	Curriculum
o	Fact sheets (including hunger stats and info on community food security)
o	Sample press releases
o	Sample PSAs/bulletin announcements
o	Petitions, postcards to elected officials
o	Sample activities/ideas for engagement (from workshop agendas to fasts to food
drives)
o	Web links
o	Prayers/interfaith worship service ideas
o	Speakers list: with constituents like vets, elders, etc.; Food Bank staff
speakers, community speakers, etc.
o	Discussion questions
o	Visuals, sample flyers/hand outs
o	Available trainings: Member Agency shopper training around nutrition, Food
Reclamation in your community
o	Call to service, with ideas of how to volunteer
o	Outline for “One Big Table” or “A Place at the Table”
community/family/neighborhood dinners
o	Sample Coffee Hour programs
o	A power point presentation

Organize with/Outreach to whom?
o	Chambers of Commerce
o	Service Clubs
o	Elected Officials
o	Folks of faith
o	Community allies/constituents
o	Schools/Universities/Colleges
o	Labor

The large things we can take on together:
o	Actions linked to advocacy/policy shift (The Food Bank is in the midst of this
discernment and hopes to have well-considered action steps.)

o	Bell ringing

o	A large ad campaign.  Director of Development, Megan Pete, will work to secure
ad space in 4 papers.  These ads could contain:
sponsor information
information about hunger,
what folks can do to end hunger (action steps),
note the website’s toolkit,
note the regional events, etc.

As a group, we can host four (4) regional programs, and maybe a program at The
Food Bank and at The Food Bank Farm:
o	Examples include: vigils, worship services, panels, community meals, bell
ringing, press conference, hunger banquets, concerts, art workshops, poetry,
legislative breakfasts.  For example, programs could take place in Greenfield,
Northampton, Springfield, and Pittsfield.

Follow up:

o	Find out about Elm’s College’s “A Place at the Table”
o	Jo will follow up with participants at the meeting and those not able to
attend to secure their help/solidify our plan and lay the groundwork for a very
successful next meeting.