Teen essay: A chance for all of us to help fight hunger

Eight years ago, my family and I participated in the Redwood Gospel Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner Banquet for the first time. Everyone called me Chef Catherine because, even though I was too young to help in the kitchen, I helped deliver plates heaped with delicious turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. I was a little girl at the time but I like to think that I had big dreams. I was inspired by all of the volunteers in their effort to help end hunger in my county. Today, however, I think that we can all, collectively, help transform that dream from a rather cliche aspiration into a much more tangible goal.

According to kidsdata.org in 2013, over 45.5 percent of the students in Sonoma County are eligible for free or reduced price school meals, provided by the Meal Assistance Program. That is an alarmingly high percentage that illustrates just how many students and, potentially, their parents could benefit from the help of the community. In fact, even though this percentage already represents an improvement from 2013, it is clear that food instability remains a large issue within the community. One of the organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger is the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

Since 1987, REFB has been committed to its goal of ending hunger within the county. Over the past couple of years it has made quite a mark on reducing the number of people without meals. Combined with other organizations such as CalFresh and The Women, Infants and Children program, over 52 million meals have been provided, approximately 60 percent of the number needed. Of the 60 percent, the REFB has contributed 14 percent of the total meals. Even with substantial progress, there are still 35 million missing meals in the county, according to the Hunger Index provided by REFB. Thus, continual effort is being made to close this “meal gap.”

As part of the Sonoma County Junior Commission on Human Rights, I believe it is a perfect time to help motivate my community to address this undeniably important issue. From 1 p.m. on Friday to 1 p.m. on Saturday, the commission will host the 24-Hour Fight to End Food Insecurity. We will be abstaining from eating and raising pledges for the number of hours we successfully complete. All the money that is raised will be used to support the Redwood Empire Food Bank in their fight to stop hunger.

We ask you to join us in this effort, to help us bring awareness and participate in the 24-Hour Fight to End Food Insecurity. Let’s make it our goal to be humble and grateful for the food on our table and make an effort to end food insecurity in our community.

Please ask your friends and family to help support this cause. For funds raised, please make check donations out to Redwood Empire Food Bank, and mail them to:

Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights, 575 Administration Drive Suite 116B Santa Rosa 95403

Or donate online, and mention the Commission on Human Rights so we can track the efforts of our community: www.refb.org.