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United Way launches campaign against hunger
Friday, August 29, 2008 12:47 AM EDT
According to Stephanie Stewart, executive director of United Way of Mason County, September has been declared "Hunger Action Month" by the local chapter as part of the Live United program of the United Way of America.
"It is such an important issue, it needs its own attention," Stewart said, noting the 30 Days - 30 Ways hunger campaign is being held in addition to the agency's annual fund-raising campaign.
The goal is to raise money to fight hunger and to raise community awareness to the need of hungry children, senior citizens and families right here in our own county.
"You don't have to leave Maysville to help," Stewart said.
All proceeds from the campaign will go to three programs in Mason County which currently assist those in need on a daily basis: Mason County Food Pantry, Fresh Food Bank and the Backpack Program sponsored by the Maysville Younger Women's Club.
These entities address the issue of hunger faced by citizens of Mason County by providing nonperishable foods through the Food Pantry; perishable items such as milk, eggs, meats and cheese through the Fresh Food Bank; and a variety of nutritious foods and snack items given each to school children for consumption on weekends through the Backpack Program.
"These are big organizations in what they do," Stewart said of the three programs, but added small operating budgets also limit services each can provide.
On Tuesday, an e-mail campaign will take place in conjunction with the Maysville-Mason County Area Chamber of Commerce to solicit participation of chamber members in the fight against hunger.
Stewart is also asking area civic and service organizations, churches, families and all business to formulate ways to raise money or food items for the campaign.
All participants will receive a packet of information with 30 tips on how to combat hunger with donation ideas and activities to raise money, as well as statistics on hunger, or food insecure, in Kentucky. The term "food insecure" means while a person has limited access to food, it's not always enough or consistent enough to be satisfying. In other words, you don't always know where your next meal is coming from.
"It's intolerable in this day and age people are going hungry," said Stewart, whose passion for the cause has led to the local campaign.
Ironically, statistics show organizations like the Mason County Food Pantry and Fresh Food Bank receive their highest level of donations during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. In actuality, families are in need of food during the months of July and August the most, since children are home from school, necessitating the expense of two additional meals at home versus eating at school.
Typically, 40 to 50 families are assisted by the two agencies, but during the summer the number doubles, Stewart said.
Stewart, who worked with the MYWC to create the Backpack Program, has complied statistics which show 62 percent of all children enrolled in Mason County schools receive free and reduced breakfast and lunch, this relates to "nearly four children in every classroom in Mason County are food insecure."
Kentucky has a child hunger rate of 20 percent, placing the state in the top 10 states for highest incidence of child hunger.
Gov. Steve Beshear, and many other governors across the nation will make a public declaration on Sept. 8, naming September Hunger Action Month.
Beshear's challenge to fellow Kentuckians will be to skip a meal for a day or a week and donate that money to the United Way Live United: Fight Hunger campaign. Stewart said the challenge, which is included in the 30 Days - 30 Ways handout, will not only raise money, but should also bring understanding as to how being "food insecure" feels for people across our county and nation.
With this being the first year for the Live United: Fight Hunger campaign in Mason County, Stewart said reaching a goal of $5,000 would be "great."
For more information about the campaign or to register your group, contact Stephanie Stewart at 606-564-7522 or 606-759-5246 or by e-mail at unitedwaymc@hotmail.com.
If you need assistance, or know someone who needs assistance from the Mason County Food Pantry, Fresh Food Bank or MYWC Backpack Program, contact Stewart or United Way committee members Judy Pfeffer, Edna Humphries or Dolores Donovan.
Contact Marla Toncray at marla.toncray@lee.net or 606-564-9091 ext. 275.
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