Second Harvest calls community to action for Hunger Action Month

By Kendra Simpson

September is recognized as Hunger Action Month, and the Second Harvest Community Food Bank has asked St. Joseph residents to take action in helping the community fight food insecurity.

In the Buchanan County area alone, 49,000 people face food insecurity. Through Hunger Action Month, Second Harvest aims to bring awareness to food insecurity by lighting the courthouse dome orange and hosting “Orange Out” football games.

“We’ve partnered with the St. Joseph School District to host two orange games and so you’ll be seeing orange all across the community throughout the month of September,” said Mackenzie Osborn, Second Harvest communications coordinator. “The first orange game is this Friday (Sept. 13) between Lafayette and Benton.”

At the “Orange Out” games, a portion of ticket sales will be donated to Second Harvest to support children and families facing food insecurity. Attendees of the game are encouraged to wear orange to show support for Hunger Action Month.

“We’re just trying to get across that there is a need and bring awareness to that throughout the community,” Osborn said. “Because a lot of people, they know what a food bank or a food pantry is, but they don’t really know what the purpose is and they don’t know how many people are truly needing assistance and that it’s a totally normal thing to be needing assistance with.”

St. Joseph residents can show their support and bring awareness for Hunger Action Month by purchasing the designated T-shirts, hoodies and long sleeve shirts at Second Harvest and sharing the organization’s Facebook posts.