September is recognized as Hunger Action Month, a time when individuals and organizations come together to fight hunger and food insecurity.
In recognition, MHealthy has partnered with the Maize and Blue Cupboard (MBC) to encourage faculty and staff to raise their awareness, learn how they can help and find resources if they need support. MBC helps to ensure that no one goes without at U-M by providing faculty, staff and students with nutritious food.
Support campus and community programs
Hunger and food insecurity affect people from all walks of life, with millions in the U.S. just one job loss, missed paycheck or medical emergency away from crisis.
“Food insecurity is a lack of consistent access to enough nutrient dense food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life,” says Erica Owen, nutrition program manager for MHealthy. “In Washtenaw County, nearly 10-percent of residents are food insecure. In both Wayne and Genesee Counties, it is near 14-percent.”
To support the U-M Ann Arbor community, Maize and Blue Cupboard donation bins are available in university units and departments across campus through Oct. 1.
At UM-Dearborn, donations to UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry assist students and employees. At UM-Flint, donations to Wolverine Essentials help students.
Michigan Medicine’s ongoing Million Meal Mission fund and food drive assists local families experiencing food and health challenges. Community food banks like Food Gatherers, Gleaners and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan are also always looking for support.
Raise awareness
Faculty and staff can take a short five-question quiz that helps to dispel common misconceptions around food and nutrition insecurity. At the end, they can enter a drawing for a chance to win a produce basket from Argus Farm Stop. Take the quiz by Sept. 30.
Find support
According to the Maize and Blue Cupboard, more than 30% of students at U-M experience food insecurity in some way. Employees are also not immune to its effects. Of those U-M employees who screened positive for food insecurity, the majority reported moderate to high health risks.
The Maize and Blue Cupboard, the MHealthy Resource Coach Program and other resources are available to those who are dealing with food or nutrition insecurity. A full list of resources are available on the MHealthy website.
