Introduction

Tonight, in our community, homebound elderly people will scour their cupboards, hoping to find an unused can of food. Parents will struggle to understand the resources available to help them feed their families. Children will be unable to sleep because of pain in their bellies. Tomorrow those children will go to school and struggle to learn and grow because their bodies and minds are weak from lack of nutrition. 

No one can achieve their true potential without steady nutrition. The truth that hunger can have enduring effects has a hopeful flip side. If we can move the dial and create a food-secure community, the results of our efforts can change the lives of people and families for generations to come. Access to reliable nutrition creates a brighter future for all.

Background

Communities in Mower County are full of people doing great work to reduce food insecurity, but often these individuals and organizations are working in silos, doing their own projects and having an impact but not connecting with others who have a stake in tackling this problem. Food insecurity is a complex issue requiring a response that exceeds the capabilities and resources of any one individual, organization, or sector.

The Hometown Food Security Project (HFSP) was launched in May 2022 to galvanize the community behind the cause, empower local leaders, build long-term bonds of collaboration, maximize the effective use of resources, and ensure mutual accountability for results. The HFSP Coalition is comprised of a diverse group of organizations and individuals representing different sectors in order to take advantage of a wide set of resources and expertise; all while ensuring broad community ownership. The Coalition is now ready to grow, and we need you!

Action Planning Meeting

Join our Hometown Food Security Coalition for an in-person gathering on Wednesday, April 12 as we strategically assess the structure and procedures of local food delivery systems, review previously identified resources and gaps, make collaborative decisions for change, and create collective action plans to ensure no one goes hungry in Mower County. Please register for this transformational gathering below: