American Community Project -- Augusta ME
We were pleased to greet Dan and Myles at our July 3 meeting where they explained their cross-country trip in support of raising awareness of food insecurity. As luck would have it the Food Depot is the first to benefit from the Good News Basket in 2014-15.
The American Community Project (ACP) is a cross-country exploration of hunger throughout the United States.
From January 8th to December 9th, 2014 Dan Emery (31) and Myles Chung (22) will be riding 49cc Honda Ruckus motor scooters through each of the lower 48 states. They have put themselves in a position of food insecurity and housing insecurity to gain perspective and a better understanding of the challenges faced by those who live with these issues every day.
As they travel they will visit with those affected by food insecurity as well as food pantries, shelters, farms, schools and other organizations working within or related to the issue of Hunger.
They will share their experiences and the information they find through photos, blogs, videos, articles and web links.
Goals Include:
Identifying Challenges | What causes or perpetuates food insecurity? Why is hunger an issue? What is its impact on society?
Identifying Solutions | What is being done to fulfill hunger needs? How do these solutions impact the stated challenges?
Raising Awareness & Sharing Information | To spread information about the issue and impact of hunger and how investing our time, energy and resources into hunger solutions will positively affect our society; this includes: Education, Physical & Mental Health, Employment, Economy, and general quality of life.
Fundraising | As the ACP travels throughout the United States they will be raising funds. After the trip has been completed the money raised will be split 48 ways and donated to one organization or project in each state for the purpose of helping to fund an agriculture-based hunger solution. These include community gardens, school gardens, greenhouses, seed initiatives, cooking classes or other solutions based upon the needs and desires of the community being served.
The ACP is asking people to submit projects on the Contact section of the website for consideration. Projects will be selected by a panel of judges based on their Impact, Sustainability & Creativity.
DEFINITIONS
Food Insecurity | A term used to describe families and individuals who lack the guarantee of access to food.
STATISTICS
50.1 million Americans (or 14.5% of American households) are considered food insecure.*
Reliance on Food Stamps or SNAP has increased from 17 million people (2000) to 47 million (2013)**
40% of food in the United States goes to waste each year at a cost of $165 billion dollars.***
*http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics.aspx#.Uufb7bROmUk
**http://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/snapsummary.htm
***http://www.nrdc.org/food/files/wasted-food-ip.pdf
CONNECT WITH THE ACP
Website | www.ACProject.org
Facebook | www.Facebook.com/AmericanCommunityProject
Email | ACProject14@gmail.com
Phone | (207) 485-1983