September is recognized as Hunger Action Month, a time when individuals and organizations come together to fight hunger and food insecurity.
In recognition, MHealthy has partnered with the Maize and Blue Cupboard to encourage faculty and staff to raise their awareness, learn how they can help and find resources if they need support.
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Maize and Blue Cupboard helps ensure that no one goes without at U-M by providing faculty, staff and students with nutritious food.
Hunger and food insecurity affect people from all walks of life, with millions in the United States just one job loss, missed paycheck or medical emergency away from crisis.
“Food insecurity is a lack of consistent access to enough nutrient-dense food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life,” said Erica Owen, nutrition program manager for MHealthy. “In Washtenaw County, nearly 10% of residents are food insecure. In both Wayne and Genesee counties, it is near 14%.”
To support the U-M Ann Arbor community, Maize and Blue Cupboard donation bins are available in university units and departments across campus through Oct. 1.
At UM-Dearborn, donations to the UM-Dearborn Student Food Pantry assist students and employees. At UM-Flint, donations to Wolverine Essentials help students.
Michigan Medicine’s ongoing Million Meal Mission fund and food drive assists local families experiencing food and health challenges. Community food banks like Food Gatherers, Gleaners and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan also are always looking for support.
Faculty and staff members can take a short five-question quiz that helps to dispel common misconceptions around food and nutrition insecurity. At the end, they can enter a drawing for a chance to win a produce basket from Argus Farm Stop. Take the quiz by Sept. 30.
According to the Maize and Blue Cupboard, more than 30% of students at U-M experience food insecurity in some way. Employees also are not immune to its effects. Of those U-M employees who screened positive for food insecurity, the majority reported moderate to high health risks.
The Maize and Blue Cupboard, the MHealthy Resource Coach Program and other resources are available to those who are dealing with food or nutrition insecurity. A full list of resources is available on the MHealthy website.
