[Antiracism] National Hunger Awareness Day, June 2007: The face of hunger will surprise you.

[jo comerford]

National Hunger Awareness Day
The face of hunger will surprise you.

[Please scroll down for ways you can participate in/support NHAD.]

Every day in western Massachusetts, one in ten people struggles to put a 
meal on the table or has to choose between paying for utilities or buying 
food.  Tens of thousands of families, elders and children in our region 
daily rely on emergency food assistance, such as community pantries or meal 
sites.  Hunger can strike anyone: working families, neighbors on limited 
incomes, and people faced with a sudden illness or layoff.

This June 1st through 6th, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and its 
local partners will host four community-wide events to recognize National 
Hunger Awareness Day and the many faces of hunger in Berkshire, Franklin, 
Hampshire and Hampden Counties.

More than 100,000 people annually experience food insecurity or hunger in 
our region (food insecurity is defined as a situation in which access to 
food is limited or uncertain, or occurs in socially unacceptable ways).

Hunger is preventable.  Join The Food Bank community – and millions across 
the United States – in our work to create a hunger-free nation.  Make a 
difference this National Hunger Awareness Day.  Please contact Jo Comerford, 
joc at foodbankwma.org / 413.247.0312 x 118 or visit 
http://www.foodbankwma.org/nhad/.

Five ways to participate:
1. visit the website
2. attend a local event
3. endorse National Hunger Awareness Day
4. help spread the word (forward this email, print and hang up a flyer 
availble on line, tell a friend)
5. host an event or further an action step (see the website for ideas)


Calendar of events:

Sunday 6/3/2007
Ecumenical Worship Service
10AM

Hosted by The Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian, featuring local faith leaders, live 
music, testimonies from those most affected by hunger and those who serve 
them, Stephen Katz Cello.

Participants:
Sister Jane Morrisey
Donald Petigny-Perry, SRO Outreach Director for Center for Human Development
Margaret Westwell, ServiceNet’s Director of Client Services for Hampshire 
County

Haydenville Congregational Church
143 Main Street
Haydenville, MA 01039-0257


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Monday 6/4/2007
National Hunger Awareness Day Panel and Speakers
7:00PM

Evening program with panel and keynote speaker AJ Juarez, Organizer with the 
Massachusetts Public Health Association, dedicated to better understanding 
the face of hunger in western Massachusetts and taking action!

Special focus on Target:Hunger – a strength-based local pilot initiative 
dedicated to reducing hunger in Mason Square.

Christ Church Cathedral
35 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01103

Hosted by Open Pantry, Inc.


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Tuesday 6/5/2007
Hunger Awareness Day Vigil
4:30PM

A vigil and speak out featuring elected officials, hunger-relief agency 
representatives and those most affected by hunger in western Massachusetts.

Greenfield Town Common
Main Street
Greenfield, MA 01301

Community Meal
5:30PM

2nd Congregational Church
16 Court Square, Greenfield
Directions - Mapquest
(Note, if you are not regularly in attendance at this meal, please bring a 
pot luck dish to share.)

Hosted by Franklin County Community Meals, Center for Self 
Reliance/Community Action!


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Wednesday 6/6/2007
National Hunger Awareness Day Panel and Speakers
7:00PM

Evening program with panel and featured speaker Don Atwater, Executive 
Director of the Berkshire Community Action Council, dedicated to better 
understanding the face of hunger in western Massachusetts and taking action!

Special focus on Target:Hunger – a strength-based local pilot initiative 
dedicated to reducing hunger in the northern Berkshires.

St. Joseph’s Church
414 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201

Hosted by Berkshire Community Action Council


_______________________________


Jo Comerford
Director of Programs
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
97 North Hatfield Road
PO Box 160
Hatfield, Massachusetts 01038
tel 413.247.0312 x 118 (direct)
tel 413.247.9738 (main)
fax 413.247.9577
JoC at foodbankwma.org
www.foodbankwma.org

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