Christian Appalachian Project Spotlights Food Insecurity for National Day of Service

Christian Appalachian Project Spotlights Food Insecurity for National Day of Service

MOUNT VERNON, Ky. – (August 31, 2023) Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) will be joining Americans of all ages and backgrounds in recognition of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. CAP’s employees, volunteers, and AmeriCorps members will have the opportunity to serve locally to honor the lives and service of those we lost on September 11.

“We’re excited that CAP is participating throughout Kentucky. Our AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and employees will be serving on projects focused on addressing food insecurity,” said Amy Schill, CAP’s AmeriCorps specialist. “By reaching out to neighbors in need, we hope to honor the spirit of service that brought Americans together in the weeks following 9/11. Service helps to remind us that there is so much more that unites us than divides.”

September is also Hunger Action Month, a time to focus on children, seniors, and families that are food insecure. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food insecurity is the lack of access to or the limited availability of nutritious food that prevents all household members from leading active and healthy lives. Food insecure households are not necessarily food insecure all the time, but food insecurity reflects the choices households sometimes need to make between meeting basic needs such as housing, healthcare, childcare, and purchasing adequate food.

“Although every day is a day of service for CAP staff, taking the time to participate in National Days of Service demonstrates our organizational commitment as an AmeriCorps partner to the national service movement,” Schill added. “We also renew our commitment to service--one of CAP's core values--and hope to inspire more people to join in that commitment in Appalachia and throughout the country.”

CAP will be packing food boxes for seniors and families in Jackson County, Rockcastle County, and Magoffin County. Additionally, CAP staff in the Fayette County office will be packing boxed lunches for Catholic Action Network.

“Each September, CAP invites community members in Prestonsburg, Mount Vernon, Whitley City, and Lexington to participate in Hunger Walks and donate food in support of CAP's fight against hunger in Eastern Kentucky communities,” Schill said. “Choosing food insecurity as our National Day of Service project is just one more way, we bring awareness to this vital part of CAP's mission.”

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve the country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities.

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About Christian Appalachian Project 

Christian Appalachian Project has been building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia since our founding more than 50 years ago. With the help of donors, volunteers, staff, and the communities it serves, CAP has grown to impact the lives of more than 1.5 million people each year. For more information about CAP, visit christianapp.org.