With 35.5 million Americans suffering from hunger—33 percent of them children, and 125,000 of them local—we need a Superman. We can’t wait on him forever, though. So, in the meantime, Macy’s will come to the rescue by working to end domestic hunger.
Macy’s, the mega-chain known for its Thanksgiving parade, will be partnering with Feeding America and food banks all over the country to present Come Together, a program directed toward feeding 10 million hunger-stricken people by fall.
Come Together will ask the public to host special dinners, and, in lieu of a host gift, will ask for a pledge to be matched by Macy’s. The pledges will be tracked so the food bank in the region will get the donation.
“We are very excited that a company as large as Macy’s has decided to take on this hunger awareness program,” said Kerry Main Aller, development public relations manager at the Santa Barbara County Foodbank. “The event will also be a great opportunity to fight hunger and educate [people] about this hunger problem.”
Anyone interested in hosting a dinner can visit macys.com/cometogether, where the chain has posted party ideas and recipes. There are also downloadable songs guest chefs have recommended to go along with the dinner: Think Al Green, Belle and Sebastian, and Bruce Springsteen. The Boss goes with everything.
It’s possible to participate without throwing a dinner party. Donations can be made directly at any Macy’s register: One dollar will provide dinner for seven.
Macy’s customers can also shop to end hunger and get an in-store savings on Oct. 17 when the chain will host a nationwide “Shop for a Cause Day,” during which a portion of sales will benefit Feeding America and local food banks.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 24 – Oct 1, 2009.