Thursday is National Hunger Action Day

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Thursday is National Hunger Action Day and many people are wearing orange in support and to bring awareness to hunger in the United States.



The Church Lady and Friends Outreach Ministries offered bags of groceries to those in need on Thursday in honor of the day.



"It take all my money so I don't have money for groceries or anything," said Linda Russnak.



Russnak says has to use what little money she has to put a roof over her head. She can't afford to also put food on the table.



She says she goes to the Church Lady and Friends for lunch.



"I don't have to worry about if I'm going to eat that day or not," said Russnak.



Mary Booth says hunger isn't just a local issue - it's a national issue.



"49 million people in the United States go hungry every year. 49 million. 70 billion pounds of food is wasted every year," said Booth.



Marcus Wilson lost his apartment one month ago in a fire.



"We lost everything. Everything is gone," said Wilson.



Booth says many people must choose between putting a roof over their head or food on their table.



"The last you use usually with money is for food, so if there's no money left, there's no food to be bought," said Booth.



In their grocery bags, Church Lady and Friends provided cereal, snacks, candy and fruit.



"17-percent of the people in Northern Indiana go hungry," said Booth.



Church Lady and Friends Outreach Ministry offers dinners on Tuesday evenings and lunch Wednesday through Sunday.