SKOWHEGAN — The General Federation of Women’s Clubs Semper Fidelis Club is planning the kickoff of the inaugural National Day of Service, spotlighting food insecurity and hunger in the United States.

This year’s NDS is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30, nationwide. GFWC clubs in 48 states are participating to help increase public awareness and to provide food resources to residents and families in their communities.

The local club is planning its NDS project from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Skowhegan Hannaford, 100 Fairgrounds Marketplace. Members will collect food donations to be given to the People Who Care Food Cupboard in Madison. This cupboard services a large area of communities, most generally elderly people, with little to no help from outside agencies, according to a news release from Karie Watson, president of the GFWC Semper Fidelis Club.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 34 million people in the U.S. are food insecure, 9 million children are hungry, 53 million people turned to food banks following COVID-19 due to unemployment, and 100% of U.S. counties have families suffering from food insecurity.

“These statistics are staggering, said Watson. “GFWC Clubwomen work tirelessly to be of service to their local communities. Hunger and food insecurity represents an issue that if everyone works together, no one in the United States need to suffer.”

For more information, email Watson at [email protected].

Check out upcoming area events!