Raise awareness for hunger in Marion and Polk counties

Marion-Polk Food Share is one of 22 regional food banks in the Oregon Food Bank network. Last fall, Women Ending Hunger, a Food Share auxiliary with over 750 members—women and men-- conducted a stand-in during Go Downtown Salem’s Back to School First Wednesday event with almost 500 volunteers holding empty dinner plates to represent the 37,000 children in Marion and Polk counties depending on their free or reduced price lunch at school—sometimes their only food for the day.

Unfortunately, in these tough economic times, the number of hungry children has grown. This fall, over 46,000 children in our two counties alone will qualify for free or reduced price lunch at school. This number would fill the seats of every classroom in the Salem-Keizer school district and then some. Not the best way to start a school year!

Women Ending Hunger invites everyone to stand with them against hunger in their second FOOD FOR THOUGHT empty plate line on First Wednesday September 7, from 5:00-5:20 p.m. in downtown Salem.

Their goal is 1,000 volunteers holding empty plates to create an image of hunger that will be just too big to ignore.

This event is kid-safe and families are welcome! To reserve a place in the FOOD FOR THOUGHT line, please contact Kat Daniel, Program Director for Women Ending Hunger at Marion-Polk Food Share, 503-581-3855 est. 322.