Hunger Action Heroes

Hunger Action Heroes Unite! Comic Book Now Available

Hunger Action Heroes Unite! is a new comic book created by Feeding San Diego to educate young readers about the impacts of hunger and food waste, eliminate the stigma around food assistance, and inspire them to be a part of the solution.

More than 49 million people in the U.S. turned to hunger relief organizations for food assistance in 2022, while 38% of food produced went unsold or uneaten across the country—almost 145 billion meals worth of food. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can help!

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Hunger Action Heroes Unite!

“Hunger Action Heroes Unite!” is an inspirational story written by Dr. Janina Scarlet, clinical psychologist and creator of “Superhero Therapy,” with art by Thom Zahler (“Love & Capes” & “My Little Pony”).

The book tells the story of Journalist Julie Wilson who feels distressed and powerless as she continues to report on the expanding food insecurity and environmental crises in the United States. When Julie’s cat shows her a portal to another universe, she meets a team of superheroes dedicated to solving pressing global issues. She agrees to join them to help end hunger. Along with her new partner, Hunger Halter, Julie (now Demeter) travels all over the United States helping people rescue surplus food and redistribute it to people facing hunger. This inspiring comic book teaches readers how they too can become hunger action heroes.

Man and woman smiling while holding the Hunger Action Heroes Unite Comic Book
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Download the Curriculum

Calling all Teachers & Parents!

Teachers and parents can leverage the comic book and additional resources to support learning. The activities within this curriculum guide are designed to accompany Feeding San Diego’s comic book, Hunger Action Heroes Unite! Each activity is a stand-alone lesson aligned to nationally recognized standards.

These activities are designed for upper elementary or early middle school students, but teachers should feel free to adapt them for other grade levels as needed.

There are four essential Big Idea activities that include the necessary background teaching for the culminating Be A Hunger Action Hero project-based learning experience:

1. The impacts of hunger (Health)
2. The impact of food waste on the environment (Science)
3. Empathy (Social-emotional learning)
4. Empowerment (English/Language Arts)

You Can Be a Hunger Action Hero Too!

Millions of people across the country face hunger while 38% of all food produced is wasted each year. YOU can make a difference! There are many ways to take action:

  • Volunteer at your local hunger relief organization, to help get food out into the community.

  • Ask your local grocery store, farmers markets, or restaurants if they donate their surplus food to a local food rescue organization, and if they don’t, recommend they start.

  • Start a fundraiser for your local hunger relief and food rescue organization.

  • Host a food drive.

  • Create a video that can be shared with friends, family, and fellow students that talks about the issue of hunger and food waste in your community and what others can do to help get involved.

  • Join or start a Hunger Action Heroes club at your school to help educate other students about hunger and food waste and how they can help.
  • Compost at home and at school.
  • Make recipes at home using food before it goes bad. For example, make banana bread with overripe, brown bananas.
  • Put leftover food in the freezer if you’re not going to eat it right away.