Hunger Action Month initiatives launch in Durham and Northland

Communities in Durham, Canada, and the Northland region of the United States are participating in Hunger Action Month to combat rising food insecurity.

In Durham, local municipalities are collaborating to collect food and monetary donations. The Feed the Need in Durham network, which includes 70 community programs, reported over 880,000 visits last year. In Scugog, non-perishable food items are being collected at the Municipal Office and the Scugog Community Recreation Centre for Operation Scugog. Organizers note that every $1 donated allows Feed the Need in Durham to distribute two meals.

In the Northland region, Second Harvest Northland has partnered with WDIO News for a campaign where local chefs create dishes using food baskets similar to those provided to food shelf recipients. This initiative aims to highlight the importance of nutritious items like dairy, meat, and fresh produce. The organization reports a 20 to 30 percent year-over-year increase in need at certain food shelves, attributed in part to changes in federal programs and the conclusion of pandemic-era benefits.