Second Harvest Food Bank, based in Irvine, is promoting its annual Hunger Action Month throughout September, calling on residents to engage with the issue of food insecurity. The national awareness campaign, initiated in 2007, aims to shed light on the challenges many community members face in consistently accessing adequate food supplies. Second Harvest has participated in this initiative since its inception, with local activities significantly increasing during the recent pandemic.
Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest, describes food insecurity as "a problem that is not going away and is actually getting worse." Keller expressed particular concern over findings from the “Map the Meal Gap” study released in July, which indicated that one in six children in Orange County are affected by food insecurity. This represents a 27% increase in just one year. Keller emphasized the importance of community focus on this growing issue as children return to school and the holiday season approaches, underscoring that Hunger Action Month helps to energize the volunteers and financial donations crucial to the nonprofit’s mission.
Last fiscal year, Second Harvest’s operations included 15 truck drivers who delivered approximately 42.1 million pounds of food. These deliveries supported a wide network of community resources, including local pantries, houses of worship, school programs, colleges and universities, homeless shelters, and senior centers. The organization's reach helps to distribute food to various vulnerable populations across the region.
For residents interested in participating, Second Harvest offers a range of activities. These opportunities span from hands-on work, such as picking food at a farm or processing bulk items at a distribution center, to organizing virtual food drives. Additionally, specific events are scheduled throughout September.
Commemorative volunteer shifts are planned for September 11 to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. These shifts will take place at the Marine Way distribution center, open to volunteers aged 13 and older, and at the 45-acre Harvest Solutions Farm near Portola Springs, which welcomes volunteers aged 7 and older. All participants in these special shifts will receive a commemorative coin. Other scheduled activities include a social media toolkit available on September 10 for spreading awareness, an event titled “Make waves against hunger” at Wild Rivers on September 13, and an opportunity to donate by rounding up grocery bills at Ralph’s and Food for Less stores on September 17.
One unique fundraising competition, a truck pull, is scheduled for September 26 at 3:30 p.m., requiring an RSVP to cheer on participants attempting to pull a tractor-trailer weighing approximately 70,000 pounds. Residents can also show support by wearing symbolic orange clothing throughout the month. Beyond direct volunteering, Second Harvest also partners with local institutions like Irvine Spectrum Center and Irvine Auto Center, which will air Hunger Action Month public service announcements. Pretend City Children’s Museum and Wild Rivers are also hosting events in support of the campaign.
Second Harvest makes it accessible for individuals to get involved, from virtual contributions to in-person participation. For those who may not wish to volunteer directly, Keller suggested taking a tour of their facilities. She noted that such tours offer a chance to learn and understand the organization's work without requiring active participation. The ongoing need for community support highlights the persistent challenge of food insecurity in Orange County, prompting continuous efforts from organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank.
