A Place at the Table

The Vashon Maury Community Food Bank to show Participant Media’s A Place at the Table on November 19th as part of national "Take Your Place" community campaign.
 
Why are almost 50 million Americans hungry, and why are more than 23.5 million kids and teenagers overweight or obese (and sometimes hungry, too)? What triggers and connects these trends? What systems and institutions perpetuate food insecurity, and what reforms will ensure that people get the healthy food they need? In an effort to engage Vashon in a conversation about these questions, The Vashon Maury Community Food Bank is inviting Vashonites to take their place in the fight to end hunger and ensure that all children and families have access to healthy, affordable foods.
 
The Vashon Maury Community Food Bank, in association with Participant Media and Active Voice, and co-sponsored by Island Greentech and the Vashon Theatre, will host a community screening of A Place at the Table at the Vashon Theatre on Tuesday November 19, 2013 at 6pm. The screening is part of Participant Media’s "Take Your Place" Social Action Campaign, which uses the acclaimed documentary to inspire community conversations about hunger and obesity and get people involved in efforts to address this systemic problem.
 
The critically acclaimed documentary A Place at the Table, directed by Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush, examines the crisis of food security, hunger, obesity and food access. The film will be screened at The Vashon Theatre at 6pm. The screening will be immediately followed by a conversation and discussion.
 
This screening is an opportunity to learn about the real face of food insecurity beyond the statistics, not just as something "out there", but right here as well. Community discussion to follow with further info about food insecurity on Vashon and a range of positive actions anyone can take to make a difference.
 
We will talk about our latest plans for addressing hungry children in the next year and let people know how they can get involved.
 
Tickets will be $7 suggested donation to try to cover the licensing costs to show this film. No one will be turned down as we would like as much of the community to experience this movie as possible.
 
More information about the "Take Your Place" campaign at: www.actioncenter.takepart.com/apatt
 
In Participant Media’s A Place at the Table, a Magnolia Pictures release, directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine the issue of hunger in America through the lens of three people struggling with food insecurity: Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who grew up in poverty and is trying to provide a better life for her two kids; Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader who often has to depend on friends and neighbors to feed her and has trouble concentrating in school; and Tremonica, a Mississippi second-grader whose asthma and health issues are exacerbated by the largely empty calories her hardworking mother can afford.
 
Ultimately, A Place at the Table shows us how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation, and that it could be solved once and for all, if the American public decides — as they have in the past — that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of us all.
 
About Vashon Maury Food Bank. The Vashon Maury Community Food Bank (vashonfoodbank.org) serves about 15% of our Vashon Island community over the course of a year with needed groceries. We have expanded our efforts and hours over the last few years, and are looking to start a Kids Summer Meal Program next year with the help and engagement of our community. Like all food banks, we serve and fill in the gaps where federal programs fall short in benefits to adequately provide families with what they need to grow and thrive. We are also there when people are in need but make just too much to qualify for food stamps and other vital assistance programs. We have worked hard to increase the amount of solid nutritious food we are able to offer, and even started a Food Bank Farm and Garden to grow some of our own fresh produce.