Kentucky organizations wearing orange to raise awareness about hunger relief

LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — In honor of Hunger Action Day, organizations across Kentucky are encouraging residents to wear orange to raise awareness about hunger relief.

Every September, Hunger Action Month highlights food insecurity and the crucial role food banks play in supporting families, but the group uses today as Hunger Action Day.

“The idea is to really focus all of the attention on one specific day to raise awareness. Orange is the official color of hunger, so that’s the day we really ask everyone to pull out all their orange. I have dyed my hair orange in the past. I have orange toenails,” said Feeding Kentucky Director of Development Kristin Ingwell-Goode.

Feeding Kentucky is comprised of a network of seven Feeding America food banks that provide food and groceries to individuals facing hunger in all 120 counties of the state.

Leaders note that hunger is an invisible but growing issue in Kentucky, and taking action starts at home.

More than 750,000 Kentuckians are food insecure, and one out of six Kentuckians is experiencing hunger, while one in five Kentucky kids faces hunger. To help end hunger in local communities, today Feeding Kentucky is asking residents to wear orange, share the message, and take action.

“Hunger is very close to all of us. It’s around us, but so are the solutions. So, anyone has the ability to volunteer, to donate, or to advocate; whether you have time, money, or a voice, you can help be part of the solution to food insecurity in Kentucky,” said Ingwell-Goode.

She said that initiatives like today are reminders that help bring attention to food insecurity and inspire action each day to end hunger, not only in Kentucky but across the country.

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“There is hunger in every single county in Kentucky, and I’m fairly certain that there’s hunger in every single zip code, and I wish that wasn’t the case. I wish it wasn’t so common, but unfortunately, it is very common, it is very real, and we want to make it clear to folks that these are our neighbors, and we want to find ways to help them,” said Ingwell-Goode.

There will be a series of other events throughout the month, including Light Up Lex Orange, where Helix Garage, Victorian Square Garage, and the Pedway will be lit up orange. For a full list of other local events, click here.

Ingwell-Goode said the best way to get involved is to volunteer at a food bank or make a donation. To help, click here. For a map that highlights hunger statistics within each county, including food insecurity rate and average meal cost, click here.

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