Random Mon Sep 14 2009

Snapshot of Hunger Campaign Kicks Off Today

Feeding Illinois, formerly known as the Illinois Food Bank Association, began its hunger awareness campaign, "Snapshot of Hunger," today. According to the organization's Web site, the recession has driven on average 30 percent more people to request food assistance in Illinois during the past year. To help illustrate why so many Illinois families struggle with hunger, Feeding Illinois is asking you to take a photo of $28 worth of groceries and share it with them.

Twenty-eight dollars represents the average amount a family of four with a working parent and another parent who was recently laid off yet still receives unemployment, has to spend on food. After paying for housing, utilities and transportation, this family has approximately $110 left to purchase food for an entire week. This comes out to $28/person/week or $4/person/day.

The challenge runs through Monday, Sept. 21st and aims to help Illinoisans better understand the challenges our neighbors face and to raise awareness and get people to consider making a donation to their local food bank.

You can share your photo by emailing it to snapshot@feedingillinois.org. When emailing, please include your first name and city in the subject line. For updates on the campaign, follow Feeding Illinois on Twitter and use the #ILHUNGER hashtag.

Take the challenge, you'd be surprised what $28 at your local grocery store can get you compared to what a local food bank can gather for the same price.

— Kaitlin Olson / Comments (0)