Kids & Family

'Hunger Action Month' to Raise Awareness

The month starts in September.

The is asking residents to take the “food challenge” of trying to eat on $4.03 a day in Arlington County as part of Hunger Action Month in September.

“A lot of people think Arlington is such an affluent county that they don’t know there are people who need some extra help,” said Mona Bormet, outreach manager at the center.

The food bank, with its headquarters located near Shirlington at 2708 S. Nelson St., distributes food to 1,600 families a week. During Hunger Action Month, area residents are encouraged to take the food challenge and participate in several fundraising events in Clarendon.

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The $4 a day figure stems from the average amount given out to those receiving benefits from food stamps, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to the Food Research & Action Center.

“With the cost of living, housing, and paying your bill our clients are left with very little left for food,” Bormet said.

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On Thursday afternoon, Anjelica Hernandez came to collect food at the center. She said that though she works at a hotel twice a week, the money she makes does not allow for enough to buy food for herself and her son.

“It’s very difficult,” Hernandez, who has been to the center twice said. “This is a big help.”

In addition to the hunger challenge, the organization is hosting events around Clarendon and greater Arlington county:


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