Governor Blagojevich Proclaims September as Hunger Action Month to Encourage Illinoisans to Help Combat Hunger in Illinois

Press Release

Governor Blagojevich proclaims September as Hunger Action Month to encourage Illinoisans to help combat hunger in Illinois

Slowing economy and rising cost of groceries means Illinois families need help to keep their children fed

As the poor national economy continues to weigh heavily on Illinois families and as the cost of groceries and other household staples continues to increase, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich is calling Illinoisans to action by declaring September as "Hunger Action Month." Throughout the month, he is urging Illinoisans to help others in need by donating food, volunteering and participating in other activities organized by the Illinois Food Bank Association and its extensive network of food banks, soup kitchens and shelters.

"In this economy, we have heard too many stories about families who have had to make difficult choices between filling the car up with gas and buying groceries for their family," said Governor Blagojevich. "This past year we were able to help an additional 37,500 families in need through the Food for Families program. During ‘Hunger Action Month' I call for future support for the Food for Families program and ask Illinoisans who can to donate to food banks to help the struggling families of our state have enough to eat. No child in Illinois should go hungry."

The Illinois Food Bank Association (IFBA), whose membership includes the state's eight regional food banks, provides food and services to more than 900,000 people through a network of 2,000 pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. In Cook County, almost a half-million people, children and adults, rely on food provided by the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a member of the IFBA.

Earlier this year, the Governor responded to the needs of thousands of families by launching the Food for Families program. He made an initial commitment of $1 million, which made it possible for IFBA members to purchase 1.9 million pounds of food, and help an estimated 37,500 families in need. Going forward, the Governor will continue to push for additional financial support for Food for Families program.

"More and more individuals and families in Illinois are turning to food banks and their member agencies to help make ends meet," said Kate Maehr, president of the Illinois Food Bank Association and executive director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "We are grateful for Governor Blagojevich's support of Hunger Action Month, which offers a number of ways for the public to respond to the rising need across Illinois."

In 2006, Governor Blagojevich announced an innovative new plan to make it easier for low-income Chicago area families to receive Food Stamps. The IDHS Express Stamps project, which operates at eleven Chicagoland food pantries, is a collaboration between IDHS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Northern Illinois Food Bank and America's Second Harvest. Express Stamps simplifies the application process and meets the needs of families when they go to a food pantry for emergency food.

Governor Blagojevich also announced this year that an additional nine counties are participating in the 2008 Women Infant and Children's (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market programs. IDHS and the Department on Aging provide funding for the program, which comes from a grant of nearly $1 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This year, Governor Blagojevich and the Illinois Department of Human Services joined a new public health initiative, Fruits & Veggies—More Matters, to inspire and encourage Illinois families to eat more fruits and vegetables.

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