Orange is the color of Hunger Action Month — during the month of September, you can impact the men, women and children living in food insecurity in our region, by supporting the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

TODAY, Sept. 3, is Hunger Action Day. Wear orange, snap a photo and share why you’re doing it on your social media channels.

Then, host a food drive with your friends, family or coworkers — make it a fun competition!

Challenge them to raise their weight in food or fill the boss’ office with canned goods, or pass out grocery bags for Whole Grain Mondays, Tuna Tuesdays, or Peanut Butter Week to encourage donations.

You can even host a virtual food drive! Visit foodbankcenc.org/ FoodDrive for more info.

More Ways to Help

Food insecurity is a serious problem in central and eastern North Carolina, where more than 651,000 people struggle to access nutritious and adequate amounts of food. One in three are children, and another 8 percent are elderly.

Food donated to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is distributed to a network of 800 nonprofit partner agencies including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, day care centers and elderly care programs.

Most-needed items include non-perishable foods such as low-sodium canned meals with pop-top lids, peanut butter, canned vegetables and cereal or rice. Get the full list at foodbankcenc.org; click Donate.

Get the free “30 Ways in 30 Days,” a calendar of actions you can take each day this month to fight hunger, at foodbankcenc.org/HAM.

And on Sept. 11-12, watch #FoodBank24: A New Media Telethon, beginning at noon on Friday. This 24-hour livestream even aims to raise $50,000 for hunger relief. Volunteer, donate or tune in, at foodbank24.org.

For more on how to help fight hunger in our community, visit foodbankcenc.org or facebook.com/foodbankcenc.