Second Harvest Food Bank in Irvine is promoting various activities throughout September for Hunger Action Month, a national awareness campaign launched in 2007. The initiative aims to draw attention to the challenge many in Orange County face in consistently accessing adequate food.
Second Harvest has participated in Hunger Action Month since its inception, with local activities increasing during the pandemic. According to Second Harvest CEO Claudia Bonilla Keller, food insecurity is "a problem that is not going away and is actually getting worse." Keller points to a specific finding from the “Map the Meal Gap” study released in July, which indicated that one in six Orange County children are affected by food insecurity, marking a 27% increase over the past year.
Keller emphasizes the importance of focusing community attention on this issue as children return to school and the holiday season approaches. Hunger Action Month is crucial for energizing the volunteers and securing the financial donations that are vital to the nonprofit's operations.
In the last fiscal year, Second Harvest's 15 truck drivers distributed approximately 42.1 million pounds of food. These deliveries reached various community sites, including food pantries, houses of worship, school programs, colleges and universities, homeless shelters, and senior centers.
Irvine residents have several options for involvement, ranging from virtual participation to on-site volunteering. Activities include picking food at the Harvest Solutions Farm, processing bulk items at the Marine Way distribution center, or organizing a virtual food drive. Residents can also show support by wearing symbolic orange clothing to spread awareness.
Specific events are scheduled throughout the month. On September 10, residents can help spread awareness using Second Harvest's social media tool kit. Commemorative volunteer shifts are planned for September 11 to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. These shifts will be held at the Marine Way distribution center for individuals ages 13 and older, and at the 45-acre Harvest Solutions Farm near Portola Springs for those ages 7 and older. All volunteers on this day will receive a commemorative coin.
Additional events include making waves against hunger at Wild Rivers on September 13. On September 17, residents can donate by rounding up their grocery bills at participating Ralph's and Food for Less stores. A fundraising competition featuring a truck pull, which involves pulling a tractor-trailer weighing about 70,000 pounds, is scheduled for September 26 at 3:30 p.m.; RSVP is required to attend. Irvine Spectrum Center and Irvine Auto Center will also air Hunger Action Month public service announcements, and both Pretend City Children’s Museum and Wild Rivers are holding related events.
Second Harvest strives to make participation accessible. Keller notes that even those who prefer not to volunteer can take a tour of the facilities to learn more about the organization's work. The various initiatives underscore the ongoing community effort required to address food insecurity in Irvine and Orange County.
