GRASS VALLEY, CA: September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide opportunity to raise awareness about food insecurity and, most importantly, take action to help neighbors facing hunger.
For Interfaith Food Ministry (IFM), Hunger Action Month is a chance to remind the community that food insecurity affects local families, seniors, and individuals throughout Nevada County.
At IFM, staff and volunteers see every day what a bag of nutritious groceries can mean to someone who is worried about where their next meal will come from. With demand for food assistance growing and federal changes to CalFresh impacting thousands of people in Nevada County, community support is more important than ever.
For IFM, this means preparing not only for more clients, but for potentially more first-time clients, greater food needs per household, increased demand for protein and fresh food, more administrative work, and greater pressure on volunteers and staff.
Special Hunger Action Month Drive-Thru Food Drive
As part of Hunger Action Month, IFM is partnering with Twin Cities Church for a Special Drive-Thru Food Drive on Friday, September 25, from 8:00–10:30 a.m. at 11726 Rough & Ready Highway. Community members can simply drive through, drop off donations, and help stock IFM’s shelves for the months ahead. Holiday food items especially needed include:
- Gravy
- Canned green beans
- Canned cranberry sauce
- Canned yams
- Cream of mushroom or chicken soup
These donations will help IFM prepare for its special Thanksgiving and Christmas food distributions, when IFM provides additional holiday foods to client families, seniors, and individuals throughout Nevada County. These distributions help ensure that neighbors experiencing food insecurity can bring a little extra joy, dignity, and choice to their holiday tables.
IFM Needs Food Donations Year-Round
While holiday foods are especially important this time of year, IFM is always in need of shelf-stable staples, including:
- Mac & cheese
- Peanut butter
- Pasta sauce
- Ramen noodles
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruit
- Canned chili and ravioli
Every item donated helps IFM provide a greater variety of food to the people who rely on its services.
Hunger Action Month Is About More Than Food
Hunger Action Month is also an opportunity for everyone to find a way to get involved. Community members can volunteer their time, make a financial donation, organize a food drive, donate needed food items, or simply help spread the word about food insecurity in Nevada County.
“The work of IFM is possible because of the power of community” said Victoria Lindsay, Development & Communications Director. “Our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, food partners, and community supporters make it possible to keep our shelves stocked and provide food with compassion, dignity, and respect.”
One IFM client recently shared:
“Our family wouldn’t have been able to survive without your kindness and generosity. You folks work so hard, all to ensure that families and struggling individuals stay fed. You are a true light in our community.”
That’s what Hunger Action Month is all about. Every volunteer hour, donation, food item, and conversation can make a difference.
“September is an important time to come together and help each other,” said Lindsay. “The support we receive during Hunger Action Month helps us meet the needs we see today while also preparing for what’s ahead, especially as we get ready for our Holiday Distributions in addition to the potential of more of our neighbors turning to IFM for help putting food on their tables.”
Get Involved
Donate Food: Bring needed food items to IFM or participate in the September 25 drive-thru food drive.
Volunteer: Give your time and help IFM serve local families, seniors, and individuals experiencing food insecurity. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities on our website: interfaithfoodministry.org.
Donate: Financial contributions help IFM purchase nutritious food and meet changing community needs throughout the year. IFM’s strong buying power means every dollar is stretched, and monetary donations are what are most needed.
Recycle: Turn your recycling into food andsupport IFM by donating your recyclable bottles and cans! Bring your CRV bottles and cans, along with #1, #2 and #5 plastics, to Peace Lutheran Church, 828 W. Main St., on September 26th and the last Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon, weather permitting.
Spread the Word: Share information about hunger and IFM’s work with your friends, family, workplace, faith community, or civic organization.
About IFM
IFM has been serving Nevada County since 1987, providing wholesome, supplemental groceries to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Through the dedication of volunteers, donors, food partners, and community supporters, IFM works to provide nutritious food with compassion, dignity, and respect.