Join Empty Bowls Clarksville on September 17th and help make our community a hunger free zone

September is National Hunger Action Month

Clarksville, TN – In America we tend to think of hunger as a minimal problem. But, it is estimated one in six Americans – and one in five children in the U.S. – are dealing with a very real hunger problem. Nearly 15 percent of Americans live in food insecure households, where a lack of money and/or resources means there isn’t consistent access to quality food and nutrition.

September is National Hunger Action Month; nationwide people are asked to take action to fight hunger in their communities. Hunger Action Month offers an opportunity to share your time, talent and resources to impact your local food pantries and soup kitchens to help feed Clarksville-Montgomery County Residents who struggle every day.

Join Empty Bowls Clarksville and help make our community a hunger free zone during Hunger Action Month. Empty Bowls is a community collaboration project that creates awareness for hunger, homelessness and a community that cares about its underserved population

Empty Bowls will host a “Paint-a –thon” Saturday, September 17th from 11:00am – 7:00pm at the Pottery Room located at 110 Needmore Road in Clarksville. The cost to paint a bowl is $ 7.00. Hand painted bowls are donated to Empty Bowls Clarksville.

The bowls are a parting gift for those who attend the fundraising event held the last Tuesday in February each year. Every person who buys a ticket to the February event takes home a bowl as reminder that there are those who are less fortunate. All proceeds support Loaves and Fishes and Urban Ministries Grace Assistance Food Pantry

Community challenges like hunger might seem large-scale, but individuals teaming up to tackle it are the key. Everyone at any age can easily start by participating in hunger relief. There are many ways you can fight hunger as a family, a church group, a neighborhood, student groups, and even local businesses.

Hunger is something that is around us all year round but we know that the awareness ebbs and flows. Let’s work toward making Clarksville-Montgomery County a hunger free community where anyone who is struggling with hunger can find help.

Here are some more ways that you can work toward making our community a hunger free zone!

• Host a food drive. While fresh produce and monetary donations are very important, food banks and pantries make great use of canned or other shelf-stable foods.
• Donate money, rather than food. Because food banks purchase food in bulk at discounted rates, a donation of one dollar can often purchase $20.00 worth of food.
• During elections, help elect officials who care about hunger. Good policies can help alleviate hunger with increased advocacy.
• Promote awareness among family and friends. Instead of a regular dinner party, why not host your own family Hunger Banquet or one at your school or place of work.

Plan now to make September 2016 a time for our community to stand together against hunger.

For more information about painting bowls contact Rita Arancibia at 615.504.0285.