Hunger Awareness Day

Randy Miller - 06/08/2007



Daily Bread Food Bank commemorated Hunger Awareness Day 2007 on June 5th by holding a press conference which featured US Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service Administrator, Roberto Salazar. Mr. Salazar, who was appointed to his position by President Bush, educated Daily Bread Food Bank and member agencies on the importance of national food stamp programs and how they can be better utilized by the needy in South Florida.



Also speaking on the importance of the food stamp program awareness was Daniella Levine, Executive Director of the Human Services Coalition. Ms. Levine's passionate speech encouraged everyone to help raise the level of food stamp participation by reaching out and educating those in need.

State Representative Yolly Roberson also spoke on hunger awareness and the importance of participating in available programs like Daily Breads exciting new 'Skip-A-Meal' program. Skip-A-Meal, which was launched at the press conference, is a new county specific way for someone to donate to Daily Bread Food Bank. By skipping a meal and donating the monetary savings of that missed meal to Daily Bread Food Bank, one can help a person in need and possibly feel some of the same hunger discomforts they feel daily.

Other people speaking at the press conference included Florence Moss who spoke on behalf of State Senator Larcenia J. Bullard, Robyn Melvin of the Hollywood Hard Rock Cafe and Jennifer Behar of Jennifer's Homemade. Ms. Moss expressed her and Senator Bullards support for hunger awareness and pledged additional support from the Senator on future food bank endeavors. Robyn Melvin and Jennifer Behar both spoke on the importance of hunger awareness and support from the business sector of South Florida.



In addition to these pleas for hunger awareness, Marla Tallant and Maria Nieves shared their stories with the audience about the importance of food stamps, help from pantries and how they once struggled to get by. Their heart felt accounts put a face on the issue and showed that anyone and everyone is susceptible to going hungry if an unfortunate and unexpected circumstance occurs in one's life.



Hunger Awareness Day has gone a long way to help make the community aware that South Florida hunger is a real and growing problem. The local television and news outlets that covered the event have also gone a long way to help spread this message. These included CBS 4, ABC Local 10, NBC 6 and the Miami Herald. Their continued help and support will raise hunger awareness in the community and in turn, help feed a lot of hungry South Florida residents.