Mission’s call to actionMission’s call to action

Focusing on Hunger Action Month through special Thursday community event

STEUBENVILLE -- One often associates the term "hunger" with those who are homeless or people living in a third-world country.

However, more individuals go hungry in America than anyone realizes. And to bring that awareness to light, officials with the city's Urban Mission have planned to hold a special event Thursday.

Officials will be recognizing September as being Hunger Action Month by holding a call to action. This will include the opportunity to tour the fresh market pantry at the mission and have a sneak peek into the future of the its hunger services and programming.

The discussion and tour will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the mission's warehouse, located at 311 N. Sixth St. Attendees may enter through the back bay area of the warehouse, according to organizers.

Cynthia Lytle, director of programs and the mission's community engagement director, explained throughout September, nonprofits take time and focus on the importance of hunger within the community. She noted her excitement at being able to hold this event, as it will not only bring about the awareness and highlight the issue, but it will allow officials to recognize the hunger heroes from our area.

"Our hunger heroes are our partners in the community who are providing food for people who don't often have access to meals on a regular basis or who cannot afford to go to the grocery store," Lytle began. "These are the people who are running pantries or cooking hot meals to give to those in need."

Hunger heroes include local retail partners such as Kroger and the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Lytle noted.

"These retail partners donate food to the pantry on a regular basis and help us weekly with various types of food, such as breads, sweets, meats and juices. Whatever they can give, they send our way and that helps us to serve people coming into the pantry," Lytle continued.

Steubenville's mission saw more than 3,000 people seeking its pantry services in one month's time, according to Lytle.

"This is a direct result of inflation, an increase in food prices and the impact we have seen from food stamp loss or decreases," she explained. The COVID pandemic increased food insecurity among families with children, as well.

Lytle noted because of a drop in those receiving food assistance and those who no longer qualify for food stamp assistance, people now have to make a choice on whether to pay their bills or purchase food. More and more families are struggling and the pantry has been providing an increased number of groceries as a means to keep residents from going hungry.

"We want to share the facts so people know what's going on," she stated. "The other layer to this besides stating the facts and recognizing our hunger heroes, is there is going to be a call to action. Because there is hope. Even though it is easy to get down, we want to let people know there is hope for change and for our needs to be met."

During the tour, action stations will be set up for people to ask questions and receive information.

"We will have tables set up as action stations, which will provide information on how people can plug in and take action to volunteer their time here or at other pantries," Lytle said. "Or maybe people can make hot meals or advocate information to host a food drive or fundraiser."

In addition to staff members, pantry and warehouse directors will speak about what is being done by the nonprofit organization and what can still be done by residents willing to volunteer for the cause. The hunger services team consists of Kitty Lancaster, pantry director; Kevin Costello, logistics; Joe Roe, warehouse director; and Lytle.

This is the first time since the COVID pandemic that the mission is inviting the community back to focus on Hunger Action Month.

"I am really excited and looking forward to this," Lytle stated. "We want everyone to come and attend so they can hear where we are at and see what we are offering. We want them to receive information and hope they will ask themselves, 'What can I do to help?'"

"We also want to share information about our next event, which will take place in November," she concluded. "The focus will be about homeless awareness week."

Approximately 41 million people in the United States experienced hunger in 2022. The groups experiencing the highest rates of food insecurity or hunger included households with children living with a single woman, those living below the poverty level and people ineligible to receive any form of federal food assistance.

The Urban Mission pantry is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours on Wednesdays until 6 p.m.