Support for the Sept. 1 Food for Thought Stand-in is growing daily. “We’re hearing from people we haven’t heard from before,” said Kat Daniel from Marion-Polk Food Share. “The childhood hunger issue seems to be striking a cord throughout the community.”
Businesses, county employees, the faith community, individuals and a variety of groups have signed up to line a seven-block downtown corridor holding empty plates to focus attention upon local childhood hunger from 5 to 5:20 p.m. Sept. 1. The event is being held in conjunction with First Wednesday back-to-school activities in downtown Salem.
The Food for Thought Stand-in, sponsored by Women Ending Hunger, an auxiliary of Marion-Polk Food Share, will wind from the Capitol Building, down Court Street to Liberty Street, ending at Marion Street. The purpose is to raise awareness that hunger is a sizeable and growing social concern that impacts the health and development of thousands of children in Marion and Polk counties.
According to Oregon Department of Education, there are 37,000 children in Marion and Polk counties who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches because their families’ incomes are near or below federal poverty standards. At least when school starts, lunch is one complete meal these children will consume each day. Unfortunately for many, because of food scarcity at home, it may be the only meal they can count on. Authorities confirm that hunger often causes health and behavioral problems and leads to learning difficulties among children.
“The more people we have at this educational stand-in, the more impact we will have,” Daniel said. The route is safe for families and “we’d like to see more youth groups involved,” she added. While sign-ups are desired so people can be given a line position, anyone is welcome to show up at the Women Ending Hunger table at the corner of Liberty and Court streets by 4:30 to get their empty plates. For information, call Kat Daniel at kdaniel@marionpolkfoodshare.org or 503-581-3855 x322.
Community artists also are partnering with Women Ending Hunger to create hand-crafted plates for a silent auction that will take place 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 in Salem Center on the lower level near Nordstrom. The plates will be on display beginning Aug. 24 and also may be previewed online at www.marionpolkfoodshare.org. Auction proceeds will benefit Marion-Polk Food Share.