Throughout the nation, September is known as Hunger Action Month. The goal of this movement is "to promote community engagement and to bring awareness to the solvable problem of domestic hunger in our communities". As a part of the Cass Clay Hunger Coalition, the New Life Center is urging all readers and volunteers to get involved this month with any of the variety of events taking place around our community.
New Life Center StatisticsHere are some basic stats from the past year here at the NLC, with previous year numbers.
From January 1st 2009 - August 31st 2009
-Lodgings = 20,514/Averaging 85 Nightly (as of Aug. '08 Avg. 76 per night)
-Meals = 65,319/Averaging 272 Meals Prepared Daily (as of Aug. '08 Avg. 216 meals daily)
We are currently providing shelter to between 90-95 individuals each night and preparing between 275-300 meals per day.
National & Local StatisticsOn site meals served at Soup Kitchens have gone up 11% since 2008
Food Pantries report an increase of 10.3% since 2008
Each month an average of 6,370 people in our community seek and recieve assistance from charitable feeding programs
Last year a total of 69,591 food baskets were distributed by community Food Pantries
In 2008, homeless shelters and soup kitchens in our community served 296,208 hot meals
What You Can DoFirst off, check out the
Hunger Action Month Website to get ideas about hosting a food or fund drive, volunteering, donating money or advocating for hunger relief.
Around the Valley, you can check out any of the following opportunities.
BBQ @ the New Life Center: September 16, 2009 - Brad Keller and Larry Wild and the First Lutheran Helpers head out again to the New Life Center, bringing beef and all the fixins'. 5:00 pm.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: September 18, 2009 - The Cass Clay Hunger Coalition is partnering with Marcus Theatres
around this Sony film. Head to the Century Theatre on 9/18 to help it rain meatballs in Fargo/Moorhead.
Friends of the Poor Walk: September 26, 2009 - St. Vincent de Paul is hosting its 2nd annual walk, benefiting the poor in the local community. Come walk a mile in another's shoes.
Dorothy Day Soup Supper: September 29, 2009 - Join a Soup Supper Fundraiser for Dorothy Day Hospitality House & Food Pantry. St. Joseph's Catholic Church 202 10th St S, Moorhead; 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.
Homeless and Hungry 2009: October 3-4, 2009 - Homeless and Hungry combines a 30 hour famine and a campout in cardboard boxes to raise awareness, funds and donations for the FM Shelters. First Lutheran Church 619 Broadway, Fargo.
Fill the Dome: November 23, 2009 - Once again, local students are participating in the communities largest food drive, attempting to fill the Fargodome with food donations for local food pantries. This years goals are 75 tons of food and $75,000.
As always, you can contact us here or by
emailing Claire. Thank you for your time and help in this exciting month exploring the Hunger issue that is close to all of us.
Peace.