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Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2020

It's Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week! It is important to recognize how the members of our own communities are affected by these hardships, so look out for upcoming Instagram posts from the UC Merced Community Engagement Center, UC Merced Basic Needs, UC Merced Sustainability, and Bobcat Eats Food Waste Program to help spread awareness. 

HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Are you open to sharing your experiences with hunger or homelessness? 

*Testimonies may be submitted anonymously if preferred

Testimonies for HHA Week 2020 are closed. Please keep an eye out for HHA Week 2021 for more.

63% OF THE NATION’S MOST FOOD-INSECURE COUNTIES FOR CHILDREN ARE CLASSIFIED AS RURAL 595 OF THEM HAVE POPULATIONS OF MORE THAN 99,999 INDIVIDUALS MERCED COUNTY'S CHILD FOOD-INSECURITY RATE IS 27.3% 4TH HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 12TH 12TH HIGHEST POVERTY RATE LOWEST INCOME PER CAPITA OF THOSE 595... 10.5% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 25.9% POVERTY RATE IN 2019, THERE WERE HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS IN MERCED COUNTY 3,141 THERE ARE COUNTIES IN THE UNITED STATES RURAL COUNTIES MAKE UP 63% OF ALL (3,141) US COUNTIES. $18,177 INCOME PER CAPITA MERCED COUNTY OF THE NATION’S MOST FOOD-INSECURE COUNTIES (THE TOP 10 PERCENT) ARE 76% RURAL UN-SHELTERED PEOPLE IN MERCED COUNTY 285 21.2% OF PEOPLE IN MERCED LIVE IN POVERTY ACCORDING TO U.S. CENSUS DATA *DATA RECEIVED FROM U.S. CENSUS REPORTS AND MERCED COUNTY HOMELESS COUNT AND SURVEY REPORT AND RANKED HIGHEST IN THE NATION 3RD

How to Help Today! 

Assemble Care Packages for the Homeless

Know the Basics

Use a watertight gallon-size plastic zip-lock bag. If possible, include extra plastic bags in the care package!

Fragranced items such as soap, hand lotion or deodorant can negatively affect the taste of food items if placed in the same bag. Remember to pack these separately if you choose to give them.

Avoid items that contain alcohol such as mouthwash or hand sanitizer.

Toiletries

  • Baby wipe/wet wipes
  • Lotion Sunscreen
  • Pack of Kleenex
  • Maxi pads
  • Toothbrush & toothpaste
  • Nail clippers
  • Comb or small brush

 

Food Items

  • Beef Jerky
  • Trail Mix
  • Granola bars/cereal bars
  • Apple sauce or fruit snacks
  • Pudding cups
  • Crackers with peanut butter, cheese, or tuna
  • Gift certificate to fast food

Miscellaneous

  • Socks (Thick, wool or thermal)
  • Water bottle
  • Travel coffee mugs
  • Band-aids
  • Gift cards
  • Mints, cough drops
  • Masks (COVID-19 friendly)

 

Other Events

Sock & Coat Drive

USDA Food Distribution

I Am Thankful Food Drive

They Say It Can't Be Done Panel