HUNGER EDUCATION

Hunger Education is an important aspect in the fight against hunger.  Presentations are given for schools, clubs, religious organizations and local government groups, either on location or in our training room at our Hauppauge facility. These presentations describe in detail why people in the United States are hungry.  Local statistics and issues are discussed, citing the number of emergency food programs, who is hungry and how Long Island Cares is addressing the problem.

Hunger 101: To Walk in the Shoes of a Person in Need was developed to serve as a principal education component of the Food Bank.  It is a role-play and discussion activity that raises awareness and understanding of hunger and its many causes.  The activities aim to engage participants, expose the realities of hunger issues, and create opportunities to respond actively and appropriately in our communities.

The workshops are highly interactive and appropriate for groups of approximately 15 people or more, ages 12 and older, but can also be tailored in length and scope to meet the needs of specific groups.  Each participant receives a profile packet with information about the identity, income and available resources of a person at risk of hunger.  The identities vary and may include being on a fixed income, a single parent dependent on government for financial support, a victim of job loss or natural disaster.  The activities of Hunger 101 address the complex issues which contribute to the problem of hunger in our community and nationwide.

Students United Against Hunger is a joint project funded by United Way of Long Island that provides young people with an opportunity to volunteer at The Harry Chapin Food Bank in Hauppauge.  It consists of two components: a Hunger 101 workshop and a community service project, both of which young volunteers attend with their parents or teachers.  Read more about it here.