Hunger Action Month
Effective Date: Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska is committed to the wellbeing of all Alaskans. Combating poverty, providing temporary relief assistance, and encouraging conditions of prosperity that reduce dependence on government are key to ensuring that each Alaskan can look forward to a safe, healthy, and secure future; and
WHEREAS, hunger and poverty are issues of serious concern in Alaska, where 9.9 percent of Alaskans were found to be living below the federal poverty line in 2010 and thousands are classified as food insecure, which is defined as being unable to regularly procure a sufficient amount of healthy food; and
WHEREAS, Alaska’s anti-hunger network is a strong, effective, and informal affiliation of private citizens, the food industry, and faith based, tribal, public, and non-profit organizations committed to meeting the needs of struggling Alaskans. Distributing millions of pounds of food each year through food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, shelters, and other community organizations, the Alaska anti-hunger network is estimated to provide emergency food for one in ten Alaskans; and
WHEREAS, member organizations of the anti-hunger network will host numerous events in Alaska throughout the month of September in order to focus greater attention on hunger in our state. Alaskans of all ages are encouraged to find out how they can contribute their time, resources, and efforts to the cause of ending hunger in their communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as:
Hunger Action Month
in Alaska, and urge all Alaskans to take action on behalf of Alaskans in need in our communities.
Dated: September 4, 2012
