Livingston County Hunger Council
The Livingston County Hunger Council
(LCHC) was established in 2008 as a subcommittee
of the Basic Needs and Beyond Workgroup. The Basic Needs and Beyond Workgroup was established to develop countywide systems to address gaps in all residents meeting their basic needs. This Workgroup achieved it's goals by 2013 and was able to move into specific strategies for system change. The Hunger Council is one area where clear systems are developed to address food insecurity in our county.
Mission
The Livingston County
Hunger Council has a mission to engage with the community to eliminate hunger
in Livingston County. LCHC will target food insecurity by addressing
access to fresh food, optimizing government food programs, empowering the
community to make healthy food choices and strengthening private and charitable
food programs.
Partnership
Success of the LCHC
depends on the ongoing commitment of Livingston County organizations,
officials, local governments and residents to aid in ending
hunger. Members are required to demonstrate their commitment to the cause by
signing a membership agreement on behalf of themselves, their organizations or
as representatives from their organization.
Food Initiatives
Summer Lunch Bunch
This program is
designed to ensure all children have the food needed to sustain them over
summer vacation. Often families will rely on the support of the Free and
Reduced food program at their school to help with lunches. Over summer,
this resource is not longer available. This program provides a hot meal
and fun activities one day a week at 7 sites. Then the child received a
food pack that will cover their lunches for the next week.
Community Gardens
This program addresses
the need for fresh fruit and vegetables available to the families that access
food pantries. The program offers 11 gardens throughout the county that is
tended to by mostly volunteer staff. These gardens are harvested and the
food is given to families through a number of food pantries throughout the
county.
This program provides
healthy cooking options that emphasize the value of nutrition without losing
the importance of good taste. They discuss nutritious and low costs
shopping techniques and ways to hide veggies into kids
meals. Classes are offered to allow parents to learn new techniques for feeding their families.
Food Pantry Network
This program pulls
together the many food pantries available throughout the county. They
work together to support the needs of all residents and have collaborated on
fundraisers, holiday initiatives and hot meal offerings.
For more information about the Livingston County Hunger Council, please contact ajohnston@cmhliv.org.