The reality is one in six seniors living in America today might not know where their next meal is coming from, whether it is due to poverty, limited mobility or geographic isolation. When we vote to end hunger, we can ensure that the needs of our most vulnerable citizens are top-of-mind. - Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America
Des Moines, Iowa, October 13, 2015 – Top national nonprofits gathered today to launch a new campaign – Vote to End Hunger (VTEH) – during World Food Prize week at the Iowa Hunger Summit. The campaign will mobilize grassroots supporters and leaders to urge the 2016 presidential candidates to focus on ending hunger, alleviating poverty, and creating opportunity in the United States and around the world.
Hunger is a significant but solvable problem, both in the United States and internationally. Ending it requires leadership and a commitment from our president and Congress, say VTEH organizers.
In the U.S., 1 out of every 7 households – more than 48 million Americans – struggle to put food on the table. These numbers include 5.4 million seniors and 15 million children. Around the world, 795 million people experience hunger every day.
The impact of hunger reaches far beyond just those families and individuals who experience it. Hunger burdens our economy with lost productivity and increased, avoidable healthcare costs. It also has a devastating impact on the lives of children – our nation’s future. Hunger affects their brain development, making it harder for them to learn in school, and also puts them at risk of chronic health issues.
We have the resources to end hunger in the United States and around the world. But what we lack is the political will to do it. VTEH organizers plan to create that will during the election season by urging the 2016 presidential candidates to commit to making ending hunger and poverty a priority issue.
For more information visit www.votetoendhunger.org
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Organizations supporting Vote to End Hunger include Alliance to End Hunger, Bread for the World, Catholic Charities USA, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels America, RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund and Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry