‘This Is Hunger’ traveling exhibit visits Twin Cities June 27-30
JFCS, Adath Jeshurun Congregation, and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul partner with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger to bring must-see national exhibit featuring faces and stories of America’s hidden hungry
“This Is Hunger,” a national touring exhibit that will be in the Twin Cities June 27-30 is a first-of-its-kind free exhibit that brings participants face to face with the stark realities of hunger through state-of-the-art storytelling techniques and interactive elements. It will be located at Adath Jeshurun Congregation (10500 Hillside Lane W, Minnetonka).
“We often think of hunger in stereotypes, such as the homeless person walking down the street, but the reality of hunger in Minnesota and in the United States is much more complex,” said Rabbi Harold Kravitz of Adath Jeshurun Congregation.
“This exhibit gives us an opportunity to engage the whole community with an incredible experience that will change the way you look at hunger. We want to help everyone understand that those who are hungry can be your neighbor who just lost her job or the teenager at school who can’t concentrate properly because he isn’t eating enough nutritious food at home.”
By most indicators, Minnesota is a prosperous state. Yet, 1 in 10 Minnesota households struggle with hunger. At the national level, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual report on food security found that nearly 13 percent of American households had difficulty at some point last year in providing enough food for their families.
To raise awareness about the prevalence of hunger locally and nationally, Adath Jeshurun, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis (JFCS), and Jewish Family Service of St. Paul (JFS) partnered with MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger to bring “This Is Hunger” to a local audience.
The exhibit features black and white portraits by an internationally renowned photojournalist along with the stories of dozens of Americans who have had difficulty putting enough nutritious food on the table each day. Through digital and hands-on activities, “This Is Hunger” takes participants on a compelling journey that draws them into the real-life circumstances of these individuals and deepens their awareness about who in America struggles with hunger and why. Visitors are then encouraged to educate others and advocate for change.
“This Is Hunger” is housed in a 53-foot-long double-expandable semitrailer that provides nearly 1,000 square feet of exhibit space. The exhibit is on a 10-month national tour that is stopping in more than 30 cities across the country. It is recommended for ages 10+.