What would you do if you were hungry?

If you're browsing through your RSS feed or checking your Twitter stream this morning, you might notice a common theme. Today, 200 food bloggers are donating their posts to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in America. And we're planning to make some noise.

This event began last August, when I had the opportunity attend an early screening of A Place at the Table through a local professional network. This was well before Participant Media had designed an action center, but I walked away knowing that this would be a wonderful partnership with The Giving Table. (If you haven't had a chance to see the film yet, I encourage you to do so. If it's not playing in your town, you can also watch it on demand on iTunes and Amazon.)

In preparing for this event during the past few weeks, I've been humbled by the reception in the food blog community, and proud of what we've set out to accomplish together. This event (and this website, really) began because I believe I'm not the only one who cares about these issues. All my feelings have been affirmed as I've watched my inbox fill with RSVPs from fellow bloggers who are standing with us today.

We're all joining together for one reason: to make a difference in our food system. Millions are hungry, and as many as 50 million people are food insecure and don't know where their next meal is coming from. SNAP—the nation’s food stamp program—is at risk for severe cuts that would impact millions of families, especially children, that rely on school meals and food stamps to survive. In response to the film, the country's leading anti-hunger organizations, Share Our Strength, Bread for the World, Feeding America, and The Food and Research Action Center, are asking supporters to help spread the word.

Private sector programs and charities aren’t enough. The only sustainable solution is for government policies to change, so we must make our voices heard.

Here's how you can get involved:

1. See the film

2. Spread the word on social media (follow the #takeyourplace hashtag!)

3. Join thousands of other advocates and send a letter to Congress TODAY (it only takes 30 seconds!)

Comments

[Meg @ Beard and Bonnet]

Thank you so much for putting this event together to help such an important cause! Ten years ago I was a single mom working 3 jobs to support and feed my 1 year old daughter. I know how hard it can be and I can vividly remember not eating so that I could afford to buy her food and diapers.

Now that I am at a point in my life that hunger isn't an issue at my own table my family finds ways to help the cause every way we can. Whether we volunteer at a food drive, purchase food for a family in need, or most recently start a farmers market that gives back whole foods to those in the community that need it, I am always driven by the memory of what it felt like to be hungry and the fear of not knowing from day to day whether my daughter would eat or not.

This is such an important topic that has been swept under the rug for way too long and I can't wait to see the result of so many people coming together for such a worthy cause!