Hunger Coalition of Monroe County meets every third Thursday of the month at 6PM at NCC-Monroe Campus in Tannersville in Keystone Room 242 (note that in July we are meeting on the fourth Thursday – July 27th, 2017)

Why form a Hunger Coalition in Monroe County?

Hunger and food insecurity is a complex problem affecting approximately 1.6 million Pennsylvanians and over 18,000 Monroe County residents.  Food Insecurity is when a family has limited or uncertain access to adequate food to lead an active, healthy lifestyle.  In order to combat the growing problem of hunger in PA which can potentially impact the growth and development of our children, the strength and preparedness of our workforce, and the health and safety of our seniors; Governor Tom Wolf established the Governor’s Food Security Partnership.  The Partnership is comprised of six department secretaries including Aging, Agriculture, Community and Economic Development, Education, Health, and Human Services along with a variety of key charitable organizations and private sector leaders who are working together to promote coordination, communication, and planning of goals and initiatives to end hunger in Pennsylvania.  In September 2016, the Partnership released Setting the Table: A Blueprint for a Hunger-Free PA which states a goal of creating a local food alliance in every County/Region to combat hunger in their local communities by 2020.

Why NOW?

“If we don’t change the direction we’re heading, this generation will be the first to live sicker and die younger than their parents’ generation.” ~A Place at the Table (Documentary, 2012)

Monroe County Community Needs Assessments completed by the United Way of Monroe County, St. Luke’s Health Network, and Lehigh Valley-Pocono all address poverty, food security, and dietary related diseases as major concerns for residents living in Monroe County.  

Key Community Data Elements:

• 10.8% of residents are struggling with food insecurity (approximately 18,200 people)
• 54% of school-aged children qualify for Free/Reduced price lunch in our public schools (approximately  13,000 children)
• Only 8% of residents report eating the recommended 5 or more fruits/vegetables per day.
• 29% of adult residences have a BMI of 30 or more. (Adult Obesity)

Why should I get involved?

Hunger and Food Insecurity in our community is a multi-faceted and complex problem.   No one organization, institution, business, government leader, or individual has the power to solve this problem alone.  Together, we can strive to impact the lives of our neighbors struggling with hunger through our collective efforts in a meaningful way.  Please consider joining the Hunger Coalition as we tackle issues of Access, Coordination, and Nutrition Education in our fight against hunger and food insecurity in Monroe County.  More than Ever, we need everyone to come to the table.