MFAN Speaks at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
October 06, 2022
the plan to end hunger must include military families
For too many, finding adequate nutrition to maintain proper health and well-being is a constant challenge. On September 28, 2022, for the first time in more than 50 years, the White House hosted their Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. This historic event brought together leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to discuss the National Strategy put forth to end hunger in America, improve nutrition and physical activity, and close the disparities surrounding them.
MFAN has been tracking the issue of military and veteran family food insecurity for years. We’ve conducted research to understand the causal factors of food insecurity and taken action — both through immediate on-the-ground support and strategic partnerships that will lead to long-lasting solutions.
We have heard directly from military and veteran families on what it’s like to face food insecurity – the reality is devastating and the need to act is urgent. As an organization, we remain committed to serving military families, which includes amplifying their lived experiences to ensure their voices are heard by those who can make a difference.
watch the panel
Our president and executive director, Shannon Razsadin, spoke on the panel titled “Nourishing Brighter Futures: Ensuring affordable food for all children and families.”
During this conversation, she highlighted the far-reaching effects that food insecurity has on the military community, acknowledging the added barriers they face as a result of a life in service. As a champion of this issue, Shannon encouraged support systems to keep this conversation at the forefront, which will help to encourage leadership to remove unnecessary obstacles and empower those facing food insecurity to seek assistance.
Sadly, too many military families struggle in silence and don’t seek help. We must lessen stigma, promote help-seeking behavior, and remove barriers to food and nutrition assistance. And we must continue to tell these stories so that families know they aren’t alone.
We have more momentum than ever on a solvable problem. Now is the time to act.
We left the conference with a strong sense of hope and excitement for what’s to come. It’s inspiring to see so many come together with a common goal in mind – to end hunger. We look forward to collaborating with our partners to do all that we can to support these efforts, because our military families, and all Americans, deserve it.
YOU CAN HELP ALLEVIATE HUNGER
The lines at our food distributions are getting longer, not shorter – a sobering reminder that the need is great and our work is not yet done.
To learn how you can join MFAN in making a difference in the lives of military families experiencing food insecurity, visit combatmilitaryhunger.org.
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