MADISON – A cross-section of residents will explore ways to eliminate a real problem at the “Hunger Summit 2019 — Many Faces of Hunger,” presented by Food Bank of North Alabama.

Food Bank of North Alabama’s mission is to feed the hungry today and to look for solutions to end hunger tomorrow. Food Bank supplies 8.9 million pounds of food annually to a network of 250-plus food pantries, shelters and children’s programs in 11 counties of North Alabama.

The organization feeds more than 80,000 people annually at risk of hunger, according to Mary Lynn Botts, who works as Special Programs Coordinator for Food Bank of North Alabama.

Hunger Summit 2019 — Many Faces of Hunger will be held on March 14 at First Baptist Church of Huntsville, 600 Governors Drive SW. Hunger Summit. This free event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Guests will enjoy a light breakfast and lunch.

The summit will assemble components of the community who encounter the hungry to discuss hunger’s root causes and explore solutions. Community and business leaders, school administrators, nutritionists, social workers and healthcare professionals are Food Bank’s feeding partners across North Alabama.

Food Bank’s ultimate objective is to build a sustainable local food system in which no one goes hungry.

Keynote speaker Clancy Harrison works as a Registered Dietitian, along with time as TEDx speaker and food justice advocate. Harrison challenges the standard approaches to food insecurity. On the cutting edge of advocacy, Harrison works to demolish the stigma surrounding food assistance programs.

In breakout sessions, guests can learn while networking:

* Hint Hint, Nudge Nudge — Learn to make subtle changes to a pantry to encourage clients to select and prepare healthy foods.  

* Elevate Your Elevator Story — Use public relations and social media to tell your story.

* Solutions to Child Hunger — Start initiatives for backpacks, summer feeding and school pantries.

* Senior Health and Hunger – Focus on senior health issues and how food insecurity and food choices impact health.

* Better Together — Interact in round-table discussion on collaboration that can ignite a culture of food dignity. Guests will share ideas and learn from one another.

* Farm Food Collaborative — Review benefits for everyone of working with local farmers, which strengthens the local economy and creates easy access to healthy food choices. This session is especially helpful for school nutritionists.

* Food Pantries — Review best practices and new ideas.

* Advocacy — Understand the legislative process and how to advocate for the hungry.

Publix Charities is sponsoring the summit. Dairy Alliance is sponsoring the keynote speaker.

To register for the summit, visit alabamahungersummit.org. For more information, call Botts at 256-947-2351 or email programs@fbofna.org.