Blog

24 Ways to Fight Hunger in '24

December 27, 2023

In the United States, over 44 million people, including 13 million children, don’t know where their next meal will come from. At the same time, over a third (38%) of the food in America goes uneaten or unsold. 

As we enter the new year, Move For Hunger is looking forward to discovering new ways we can become more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint in the new year, and we hope you’ll join us! Less food waste overall means more food in the stomachs of the 44 million food insecure Americans, as well as a healthier ecosystem.
 

Get Involved

1. Host a Spread the Love Food Drive or Fundraiser.
Held throughout the month of February, our Spread The Love initiative is meant to encourage our communities to donate jars of peanut butter and jelly to help fight childhood hunger. You can sign up to host your own Spread the Love Food Drive or Fundraiser here.

2. Volunteer at Move For Hunger.
Volunteer in our office located in Neptune City, NJ! Grab a few friends and come on down to help put together kits and other various tasks. We supply snacks and drinks in the office and include a Move For Hunger t-shirt for your time. Email [email protected] for more information.

3. Have your company host a food drive or fundraiser.
We have a variety of food drives and fundraisers you can host!  When you sign up, you will get supplies to help you run the fundraiser or food drive.

4. Volunteer at your local food bank.
Donating your time at your local food bank is another great option for getting involved that enables you to have a peek at the impact of your work. Virtual opportunities are also available, so be sure to check out experiences that interest you.

5. Turn your miles into meals by joining our race team.
Run or walk marathons? Half-marathons? How about a nice and easy 5k? You can get active and help provide meals to those in need. There are plenty of events in almost every corner of the U.S. that you can take part in. Head on over to our Team Move For Hunger page to learn more.

6. Fight hunger with a one-of-a-kind event!
Let our team provide a world-class experience to plan your next in-person, virtual, or hybrid philanthropic event. The best part - every one of our personalized events, like our Truck Pull, helps fight food insecurity in your local community.

 

Support the Cause

7. Join our Sustaining Donor Network
Hunger has no offseason. Your monthly donation will help provide meals throughout the year to those in need. No amount is too small! 

8. Set up a fundraiser for your birthday.
It’s super easy to do! Follow the Facebook prompts to support a cause for your birthday, and type in Move For Hunger in the search bar.

9. Donate crypto.
We believe fighting hunger requires innovative solutions, that’s why Move For Hunger is now accepting crypto to allow you to make an impact.

10. Donate to Move For Hunger.
Making a one-time donation is a really quick and easy way to help Move For Hunger get supplies we need to rescue food and organize food drives - even just $25 means 63 people can eat.

11. Download the Round-Up App.
Automatically donate your leftover change from credit and debit purchases to Move For Hunger!

12. Join our Legacy Society.
By becoming a member, you join a distinguished group of individuals who are passionate about our mission and dedicated to making a difference for generations to come. Through a planned gift, you can shape a brighter future for our organization, ensuring that our vital work continues long into the future.

 

Reduce Food Waste

13. Make a zero waste recipe.
Not sure how to reuse leftovers and reduce the amount of food you purchase that goes uneaten? Zero Waste Kitchen has everything you need to know about learning to cook, plan, and live for a more sustainable future.
 
14. Do a food waste activity at home.
Ever forget about the leftovers in your fridge? We thought so - throwing out expired food is frustrating, especially considering how confusing the dates listed can be! Check out this list of fun food waste activities that will help you keep track of what is in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer (bonus: there is an explanation of Sell By, Best By, and Use By dates!)
 
15. Donate to your local food bank.
The easiest way to reduce your food waste is to donate the food you aren’t going to use (or donate food in general). Non-perishable items such as peanut butter, pasta, rice, canned fruit, and beans are just a few items that you can donate to a food bank near you. Not sure where any are located? Use this Food Bank Search to find locations in your state.

16. Make small changes in your day to day life to live sustainably!
On average, 35% of food in the United States goes unsold or uneaten. Making small changes in your lifestyle is a simple, yet effective way to live a more sustainable life in the new year. Less food waste overall means more food in the stomachs of the 34 million food insecure Americans, as well as a healthier ecosystem. 

17. Start a garden.
By growing your own food, you reduce your reliance on industrial agriculture, which often contributes to deforestation, pollution, and the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Gardens can also act as mini ecosystems, attracting beneficial insects and birds while providing habitats for biodiversity.

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Get Educated

18. Stay updated on hunger news.
While we’ve impacted millions of families' lives in the U.S. and in Canada, we are only a small piece of the puzzle. Read our Hunger in the News blog for recent stories of action being taken to combat food insecurity from federal legislation to startup food waste initiatives. 
 
19. Watch a documentary.
Documentaries are a great way to learn; some of our new favorites include Seaspiracy and Kiss the Ground, but be sure to check out this list for more suggestions. 

20. Learn about food insecurity in the United States.
Move For Hunger has created helpful guides to walk through food insecurity and food waste. Our team has also put together well-researched resources that share how hunger disproportionately impacts womenthe LGBTQ+ communityNative American communities, among others. Read more about them here.  

 

Spread the Word

21. Follow us on social media.
The best way to stay on top of what’s going on at Move For Hunger and to share it with friends and family is to follow us on social media. We’re on most networks -- InstagramTwitterLinkedInFacebookTikTok, and YouTube! On these platforms we post informative videos, news about upcoming events, and shoutouts to movers and communities helping us end hunger and food waste.  

22. Spread awareness about food insecurity.
You can let others learn about hunger facts by spreading the word about our articles via your social media! Be sure to check out the hunger stats in your state, they may surprise you.  (Don’t forget to tag our accounts, linked above). 

23. Become an advocate.
Speaking your mind about policies related to food is a great way to get involved to create change while also educating others on such an important topic! One way to do so is by reaching out to elected officials with your support for living wages and programs like SNAP. Learn more ways you can advocate, and why you should, here.

24. Shop for swag.
Want to rock your Move For Hunger pride and raise awareness for our organization? Check out this link to find apparel, bags, accessories, and more. Our favorite is the hoodie - perfect for cold weather and so soft!

 

We’re looking forward to seeing how you help us fight hunger this year! With food insecurity on the rise, again, we all need to do our part to #EndHunger. Make sure to tag us on social media during your events (our socials are in #21)!