Partnering to #EndHungerUSA2030
November 26, 2024
The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger is partnering with the End Hunger Network this Thanksgiving to raise awareness about addressing hunger that impacts 18 million households across the nation. We have joined their EndHunger2030 campaign to make ending hunger a national priority.
As many Americans gather this Thanksgiving to focus on gratitude and abundance shared through food, we must recognize the complexities of this holiday, particularly its roots in colonization and the profound impact it has had on Indigenous peoples. For these communities, the holiday can serve as a painful reminder of broken treaties, displacement, and ongoing struggles for sovereignty. (Read more in our recent blog post about the history of Thanksgiving and National Day of Mourning.)
While millions of Americans enjoy a bountiful meal, more than 34 million people in the U.S., including 9 million children, face food insecurity – not having the ability to access enough safe and nourishing food at all times to live a meaningful, active, and healthy life. For Native American communities, the rates of food insecurity are disproportionately high due to systemic barriers such as limited access to grocery stores, fresh produce, and economic opportunities. This Thanksgiving, we invite you to reflect on how we can collectively address these disparities.
In alignment with the EndHunger2030 movement, here are a few ways that you can take action this holiday while honoring Native Americans:
Support local food pantries & Native-led organizations: Many community groups, including Indigenous-led organizations like Spirit of the Sun, Four Corners Food Coalition, and Western Slope Native American Resource Center are working tirelessly to address hunger and advance food sovereignty. Donations of time, resources, or funds can make a direct impact.
Learn & educate: Learn about the history of Thanksgiving from the perspective of Native communities and advocate for policies that tackle systemic inequities in food systems. (Check out the resources and links in our recent blog post.)
Advocate for food as a human right: Commit to year-round actions that address food insecurity, including supporting federal legislation like the Farm Bill and SNAP/WIC funding. Sign up for our policy and advocacy action alerts to stay up-to-date on federal and state legislation.
Let’s use this Thanksgiving as an opportunity to reflect, educate, and advocate for a more inclusive and just food system—one that uplifts all communities and acknowledges the enduring strength of Indigenous peoples. Together, we can work toward ending hunger and building systems rooted in equity.
Written by Dayana Leyva, Policy Manager