September is Hunger Action Month!

Hunger Action Month is an annual nationwide campaign that unites food banks, antihunger organizations, and the public to inspire people to take action against hunger and to raise awareness for those facing food and nutritional insecurity in our communities.

The Feeding America network of food banks launched Hunger Action Month in 2007. 2026 marks its 19th year.

Hunger Action Month 2026 comes at a time of rising inflation, increased costs of living, and both growing and aging populations.

This year's campaign theme is Play Your Part. Throughout the month, we'll be highlighting how individual actions, from growing and donating food to packing meals and advocating for policy change, connect into something larger. Read below how you can play your part and join us in fighting food insecurity!

Important Information About Food Insecurity and Our Services

The food insecurity rate in Montgomery County is 9.9%. That's 85,500 individuals facing food insecurity in our county.
65,206 of these individuals are SNAP recipients. Because of the SNAP cuts and changes in eligibility, SNAP participation has decreased by 11% since July 2025. However, a decline in SNAP participation does not mean decreased food insecurity. There is now more stress on the charitable food system to fill in the gaps once covered by SNAP.
In response, The Open Link offers a variety of no cost services that help Valley community members experiencing food insecurity, including our Food Pantry, Food Pantry Without Walls/DoorDash delivery, Summer Kids Meal Program (SKMP), Meals on Wheels, and Benefits Application Assistance, which includes SNAP application assistance. Last year alone, we:
1. Served 685 individuals on average per month in our Food Pantry
2. Delivered 15,773 meals through Meals on Wheels
3. In Summer 2026, served 24,436 meals through our Summer Kids Meal Program
More and more, we are seeing increasing rates of hunger and food insecurity among Valley seniors. Because of SNAP cuts, increased costs of food and transportation, and fixed incomes, seniors are increasingly facing food insecurity. We are also seeing more seniors who are facing complex challenges, such as evictions, memory loss, financial struggles while living low, fixed incomes, and caretaking for spouses.

Important Dates

While Hunger Action Month is celebrated throughout the entirety of September, there are also important day-specific events:

Food Bank Day – September 4. Food Bank Day celebrates the vital work of food banks, volunteers, and hunger-relief organizations while raising awareness about food insecurity.

Hunger Action Day – September 29. Hunger Action Day celebrates where collective efforts across the country are focused for greater impact.

How You Can Help and Play Your Part

Donate – Every dollar helps provide groceries or meals to our Valley neighbors facing hunger. Food and supply donations are also welcome! We will provide the Fall 2026 Pantry Needs at an upcoming date.
Volunteer- Lend your time to volunteer with Meals on Wheels, at The Center, or with one of our other programs.
Advocate – Use your voice to influence policy and protect vital food assistance programs. Engage with your local, state, and national representatives.
Partner – Unite your business or organization with us to build a stronger safety net. You can become a community sponsor, match employee gifts, donate surplus food or supplies, and more!
Host an Event or Fundraiser – Rally your friends, family, and network to raise support and end hunger. Host a food drive, cereal club, or other food-related event. Our Food Drive Tool Kit is a great way to get started!
Spread the Word – In our small community, word of mouth plays an enormous role in promoting our organization and connecting our community members. Sharing our social media posts, calling or emailing your family, friends, and colleagues, and/or displaying our information at your workplace, place of worship, or your club are great ways to get started!