Newswise — (April 11, 2012-- St. Charles, IL) In observance of National Hunger Week, April 9-13, 2012, the Association of Nutrition & Food Service Professionals is encouraging nutrition and foodservice professionals to mobilize by taking steps in their local communities to help address the problem of hunger in the United States.
The organization is suggesting three simple steps that anyone who works in a nutrition and foodservice setting can take immediately to help: collecting non-perishable foods, volunteering at a local soup kitchen, or providing monetary assistance for a local food pantry.
The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that millions of Americans live in “food insecure” households – meaning they don’t have access to a consistent, nutritionally sound food supply. Nearly every county in America has at least some level of food insecurity, and food-related professionals can help by actively helping charitable efforts aimed at hunger in their local areas.
“Many Americans have no idea how serious the problem has become in our own country,” said ANFP Chair Ricky Clark, CDM, CFPP. “Nutrition and foodservice professionals are in a unique position to help because of their connection with the food infrastructure in their local communities. With just a small investment of time they can help steer resources to people in need.”
The ANFP is sending out announcements to its nationwide network of local chapters this week as a part of Hunger Week, asking them to encourage local volunteerism in their communities.
In addition, staff at ANFP Headquarters in St. Charles, Illinois, will volunteer at the Northern Illinois Food Bank this week. The food bank is located in St. Charles.
“Hunger is a problem with no easy solution,” Clark said. “But those of us fortunate to be working in the nutrition and foodservice profession can help. Working at a soup kitchen, a food bank, organizing your own food drive or simply writing a check to help your local charitable organization is a great way to start.”
For more information, visit www.ANFPonline.org.
About ANFP: ANFP is a national not-for-profit association that represents more than 14,000 professional members dedicated to the mission of providing optimum nutritional care through nutrition and foodservice management. ANFP members work in such settings as hospitals, long-term care/senior living centers and correctional facilities. Nutrition and foodservice professionals are trained in understanding the basic nutritional needs of their clientele, and are responsible for purchasing, storing, preparing and delivering balanced meals, three times a day, 365 days a year.
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