FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PAINT THE TOWN ORANGE: FOOD LIFELINE LEADS SEATTLE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR HUNGER ACTION MONTH
Western Washington asked to Give a Little, Feed a Lot in order to combat 11 percent increase in overall food demand
SEATTLE (September 1, 2009) – Food Lifeline, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger in Western Washington and local affiliate of Feeding America, will “Paint the Town Orange” for the month of September in support of Hunger Action Month, a nationwide initiative to help educate America's communities about the impact of hunger and encourage them to take action.
According to new data from Food Lifeline’s member agencies, the need for food has risen dramatically over the past year. There has been an increase of 65,291 individuals utilizing the services of food banks in Western Washington, many of whom have never utilized the services of a food bank before. Overall, this represents an 11 percent increase in demand. This translates into a need for 4.3 million additional meals this year or 5.5 million pounds of food.
Orange is the color of hunger awareness. For the month of September, a variety of local retailers and monuments in Seattle will be showing their support to Food Lifeline by way of the color orange. Kicking off the month, The Pacific Science Center’s arches with be lit in orange and the Waiting for the Interurban in Fremont will be decorated on Tuesday, September 1.
Local retailers will display orange products and stuff shopping bags with orange tissue paper to help to heighten awareness. Participating retailers include: Bocz Salon and Habitude Salon, Spa & Gallery - Fremont, both have created an orange display of hair care products; KuKuRuZa Gourmet Popcorn has created a special Orange Creamscicle popcorn flavor for the month of September; Secret Garden Bookshop and Show Pony will be stuffing orange tissue paper and information in all purchases.
"The goal of Hunger Action Month is to mobilize the public to help feed the millions of American men, women, and children who are living on the brink of hunger," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "This September is our opportunity to create a movement that has a real and lasting impact on our efforts to feed more Americans."
Throughout the month, individuals can visit www.foodlifeline.org to learn more about how to help. Food Lifeline’s call-to-action during Hunger Action Month is to Give a Little, Feed a Lot. Washington state residents are asked to donate their lunch money any time during the month of September. It is suggested people “brown bag it” and donate whatever they would spend on a typical lunch once, twice or as often as possible throughout September. With every $1 donated, Food Lifeline can provide five (5) nutritious meals for hungry people in Western Washington.
"It is our top priority to end hunger in Western Washington," said Linda Nageotte, Food Lifeline President and CEO. "Our community has always been very generous. We are excited about the local participation and are grateful for everyone helping to make our mission a reality."
About Food Lifeline
Food Lifeline is a local hunger relief organization, efficiently serving the Western Washington area by using 95% of revenue to directly feed hungry people. Last year the organization delivered more than 17 million meals to hungry people through its network of more than 300 neighborhood food banks, hot meal programs, shelters and other food providers. Food Lifeline is also a member of the national organization, Feeding America. For more information about Food Lifeline or to make a tax-deductible donation, log onto www.foodlifeline.org or call 206-545-6600.
About Feeding America
Feeding America (formerly known as America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network) is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through its network of more than 200 member food banks, Feeding America annually provides assistance to more than 25 million people in need, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For more information about Feeding America visit www.feedingamerica.org.
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