September is Hunger Action Month

Get ready to Play Your Part!
Donate
Donate
Blog

With 1.7 million Pennsylvanians facing hunger, Feeding Pennsylvania launches Hunger Action Month campaign

Statewide “Play Your Part” campaign calls on Pennsylvanians to take action throughout September

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Lauren Duff, lduff@feedingpa.org
717-257-9855

Harrisburg, PA (September 1, 2026) – Hunger Action Month begins today, and Feeding Pennsylvania and food banks across the state are calling on all Pennsylvanians to Play Your Part in helping ensure their neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive.

Across Pennsylvania, increasing food costs and tight household budgets are making it harder for families to put food on the table. Because of this, more of our neighbors are turning to local food pantries to bridge the gap.

According to Feeding America’s latest Map the Meal Gap study, more than 1.7 million Pennsylvanians, including more than 500,000 children, are facing hunger. Food insecurity affects communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, with county rates ranging from 9% in Chester County to 17.8% in Cameron County.

“As more families struggle to keep up with the rising cost of everyday essentials, the need for community support has never been greater,” said Julie Bancroft, CEO of Feeding Pennsylvania. “This Hunger Action Month, we’re asking every Pennsylvanian to play their part. Whether you give your time, your voice, or your financial support, your actions help strengthen our communities and ensure neighbors have access to the food they need to thrive.”

Activities are happening across Pennsylvania all month long, including:

On September 22, Feeding Pennsylvania and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will release a new statewide hunger report examining the growing pressure on Pennsylvania families and the charitable food network as hundreds of thousands of people lose SNAP benefits, visits to food assistance programs increase and federal food resources decline.

Hunger Action Day will take place September 29, when Feeding America will release its 2026 Elevating Voices: Insights Report, an annual nationally representative survey highlighting the experiences, concerns and policy views of people facing hunger in the United States.

Pennsylvanians can Play Your Part this Hunger Action Month by donating, volunteering, contacting lawmakers, sharing their story, attending a local event or helping spread the word about hunger in their community.

To find your part, explore Hunger Action Month events and discover ways to take action throughout September, visit FeedingPA.org/HAM.

About Feeding Pennsylvania

Feeding Pennsylvania is the state association of Pennsylvania’s nine Feeding America partner food banks serving all 67 counties across the Commonwealth. Our collective efforts support member food banks in securing food and other resources, raising public awareness about food insecurity, and advocating for effective anti-hunger policies with a unified voice. Together, Feeding Pennsylvania’s partner food banks distribute more than 237 million pounds of food each year through a network of nearly 3,000 local food pantries and partner agencies. By connecting food banks, farmers and producers, policymakers, and community partners, Feeding Pennsylvania helps build a stronger food system while ensuring Pennsylvanians facing hunger have access to fresh, nutritious food.

######