Drive to End Hunger in DC Provides 8,000 meals

This year, the AARP DC state office helped stop hunger in its tracks by organizing what the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) calls the largest one-day food drive in the District.

See Also: Hungry in America

A total of 10,076 pounds of non perishables were donated by shoppers at 10 DC grocery stores. These donations will provide nearly 8,000 meals to individuals and families in our community. The 2011 food collection goal was 9,400 pounds. Donations increased sharply totaling 32 percent more pounds than in the 2010 AARP DC food drive

D.C. Councilmembers Mary Cheh, Jack Evans, Tommy Wells and Michael Brown each visited different food collection sites during the food drive Oct. 14. The volunteers, store managers and donors at the grocery stores expressed gratitude to the council members for coming out in the rain to honor their sacrifice for senior citizens and others in the District who are hungry or at risk of being hungry.

According to the U.S. Census, “The percentage of older people in D.C. who were struggling with hunger more than doubled in two years.” said Louis Davis, Jr., AARP DC state director. “That’s why we deeply appreciate the 10 Safeway and Giant Stores and the 144 volunteers who pitched in to help stop hunger in its tracks.”

The Capital Area Food Bank picked up the donations and distributes the food to area food pantries.

The Drive to End Hunger in DC food drive was part of the national AARP Foundation campaign, a multi-year effort to raise awareness and address the issue of older adult hunger.