The week before Thanksgiving is dedicated to spreading awareness about Hunger and Homelessness.
The purpose of this week is to provide education about poverty (the lack of financial resources) and promote support for anti-poverty organizations.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
The first awareness week for Hunger and Homelessness was held in 1975 at Villanova University in PA.
Since then, it has become one of the largest nationwide organized hunger and homelessness events spanning over 700 communities and college campuses in the US.
National Support
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees our nation’s food supply, and its top priority is food and nutrition security for our citizens. The USDA provides nationwide programming to help ensure Americans have access to safe and affordable foods.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) works towards USDA’s goal of combating and eliminating food insecurity through nutrition education, research, and innovative development.
National Sponsors
The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (NSCAHH) are the national sponsors for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
The NCH began as “The Coalition for the Homeless in New York City,” a community-based coalition that has grown to include state and nationwide coalitions and organizations. With the rapid expansion of the Coalition, it was renamed in 1982 as the National Coalition for the Homeless. Since its creation, the NCH has remained a homeless-led advocacy group working to create solutions to end homelessness.
The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (NSCAHH) is a student-led movement to end homelessness and hunger through service, education, fundraising, and advocacy. NSCAHH is committed to ending hunger and homelessness by engaging and training college students to meet the immediate needs of homeless individuals while also advocating for long-term solutions.
Get Involved
To support those affected by hunger and homelessness, you can:
- Check out local Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week events near you.
- Raise awareness and educate others through social media using #HHWeek and #ShareYourTable.
- Volunteer your time and donate food or other needed items to local homeless and nutrition programs.
Food and shelter are some of the most basic human needs, with a considerable impact on one’s overall health.
Take control of your health today by making an appointment with a medical provider.
