What YOU Can Do to End Hunger

I. Support the anti-hunger programs in your community

School Meals

• Find out if your school offers the federal breakfast and lunch program. If not, call the school, the school board, legislators, and the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger to find out how you can help start a school meal program.
• Work with the school community to help plan and provide nutritious meals.
• Start a community garden with the students to provide the cafeteria with fresh produce.
• Educate your community about sustainable agriculture.

Summer Meals

• Ask about the opportunities in your community for summer activities and meals.
• Help start a summer food site.
• Volunteer to serve food or provide activities to children at existing summer meal sites.

3SquaresVT (formerly Food Stamps)

• Ask your local grocery store if they accept 3SquaresVT.
• If not, tell the store’s owner about the 3SquaresVT Retailer program and where they can get more information.

II. Advocate on behalf of those at risk of hunger

• Tell us if you are willing to contact legislators, newspapers, or other public forums about anti-hunger and nutrition legislation. We’ll give you the tools to make your case.
• Talk to your local, state, and congressional leaders about the extent of hunger in Vermont and explain your community’s needs for solving the problem.

III. Increase your awareness of hunger

The following organizations can provide information on the extent, causes, and consequences of hunger:

• Center on Hunger and Poverty: 781-736-8885 or visit their website: www.centeronhunger.org.
• Bread for the World: 1-800-82-BREAD or visit their website: www.bread.org.
• Food Action and Resource Center (FRAC) at: www.frac.org.

IV. Volunteer

• Become more aware of hunger in your community by volunteering at a local emergency food site. Call the Vermont Foodbank at 802-476-3341 to find a food shelf or community meal program near you.
• Become a volunteer chef for Cooking for Life.
• Hike or pledge in the Campaign’s annual Hike for Hunger.

V. Read a Book

There are many books dealing with the issue of hunger. A few we recommend are: Sweet Charity, by Janet Poppendiek; Nickel and Dimed, by Barbara Ehrenreich; Hunger 2000-A Program to End Hunger, by Bread for the World Institute; and The Working Poor, by David K. Shipler.