Our Story
Fighting Hunger and Food Waste, One Meal and One Pound of Rescued Food at a Time
Every year, millions of people across the United States go hungry, while billions of meals are wasted. In 2023 alone, more than 50 million Americans relied on hunger relief organizations to feed themselves or their families, while nearly one-third of the food produced went unsold or uneaten. That’s almost 120 billion meals worth of food thrown away, a staggering number that reminds us how much potential there is to help.
At Hunger Action Heroes Unite!, we believe no one should go hungry, and no good food should go to waste. That’s why we created a team of superheroes dedicated to rescuing food and delivering it to those who need it most. Sometimes everyone needs a little help, and together we can make a difference. We need YOU!
Adventures in Action: Comic Book and Educational Resources
AN INTERACTIVE CURRICULUM
There are four essential Big Idea activities that include the necessary background teaching for the culminating Become a Hunger Action Hero project-based learning experience.
Hunger Action Heroes Unite! comic book and curriculum guide are designed to educate young readers about the impacts of hunger and food waste, inspire them to be a part of the solution, and eliminate the stigma around food assistance.
The curriculum guide is aligned to national standards and the activities are designed for upper elementary and middle school students.
THE BIG IDEA ACTIVITIES:
Bodies Need Fuel
Hunger has both short-term and long-term effects on the human body. Understanding how insufficient food can affect health and the human body will help students recognize the importance of nutrition and seeking solutions to hunger in the community.
It Goes Straight To The Atmosphere
Every year surplus food makes its way to landfills as food waste leading to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding the impact an inefficient and wasteful food system has on the atmosphere is crucial for combating negative environmental impacts.
Empowered For Action
Making change in any community requires feeling empowered to take action. Understanding what empowerment is and how it can fuel change is essential in taking action around hunger and food rescue.
Lend Me An Empathetic Ear!
Hunger affects people across the community and can sometimes be hard to recognize. Understanding how to help people with empathy is important to help destigmatize hunger assistance.
What is the project-based learning experience?
Become a Hunger Action Hero: Students will learn through a real-world and personally-meaningful project that focuses on taking action in the community around hunger assistance and food rescue.
Through the adventures of Hunger Halter and Demeter in Hunger Action Heroes Unite!, children see that helping others is exciting, rewarding, and empowering. By combining storytelling with hands-on learning, we aim to cultivate empathy, problem-solving skills, and a lifelong commitment to making a difference.
Meet the Heroes:
Hunger Halter and Demeter
Fighting Hunger and Food Waste, One Meal and One Pound of Rescued Food at a Time
Hunger Halter has a unique gift: he can sense when food is about to go to waste. When he closes his eyes, he knows exactly where he needs to be. He swoops in to rescue the food, then delivers it to neighbors, shelters, and families in need. Hunger Halter’s mission is simple but powerful: prevent food from going to waste while providing nourishment to those who need it most. His vigilance and care make him a true role model for all ages. Demeter was named after the Greek goddess of harvest. She is strong, kind, and open-minded.
Demeter serves as a role model for youth, showing that anyone can step up to make a difference. She teaches children that helping others isn’t just a responsibility. It is a way to create a stronger, more compassionate community.
Together, Hunger Halter and Demeter are unstoppable, but they can’t fight hunger and food waste alone. They need YOU!
WHY IT MATTERS?!
The Face of Hunger Could be Anyone’s
More than 50 million people in the U.S. turned to hunger relief organizations for food assistance in 2023, while 31% of food produced went unsold or uneaten across the country, equal to almost 120 billion meals. It doesn’t have to be this way. YOU CAN HELP!
Hunger Action Heroes Unite! is more than a story. It is a movement. We believe that fighting hunger and food waste requires creativity, compassion, and collaboration. Our heroes are a symbol of what’s possible when people of all ages take action together.
Through the comic book, educational resources, and community engagement, we aim to:
- Build a network of everyday heroes committed to ending hunger.
- Reduce food waste by teaching practical solutions.
- Promote empathy, leadership, and social responsibility.
- Inspire youth to take action in their communities.
Hunger Halter and Demeter are proof that anyone can make a difference. They show children and adults alike that even small actions, rescuing one meal, donating one item, or educating one friend, can create a bigger impact than you might imagine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can Hunger Action Heroes Unite! be used in a classroom setting?
For full classroom implementation, we recommend the Classroom Hero or Classroom Superhero Bundles.
Why focus on both hunger and food waste?
Hunger and food waste are like evil twins. Millions of people in America struggle to put food on the table while billions of pounds of good food go to waste every year. By rescuing high quality food from going to waste and redirecting it to families in need, we can defeat both villains with one mission.
Who are Hunger Halter and Demeter?
They are our superheroes. Hunger Halter can sense food before it goes to waste and rescues it for families in need. Demeter, inspired by the Greek goddess of harvest, empowers youth to create stronger and more compassionate communities. Together, they show that everyone can be a hero.
How does the comic book and curriculum help?
The comic book brings the heroes to life with exciting adventures, while the curriculum helps students understand hunger, food waste, empathy, and empowerment. It is designed for upper elementary and middle school classrooms, aligned to national standards, and includes a culmination project-based learning activity: Become a Hunger Action Hero.
How can I get involved?
There are many ways:
- Read and share the Hunger Action Heroes Unite! Comic book
- Use our curriculum in classrooms or youth programs
- Volunteer with local hunger relief or food rescue organizations
- Donate resources to support our mission
- Spread the word by sharing our story with friends and family
Who can be a Hunger Action Hero?
Anyone can! Whether you are a student, teacher, parent, or community leader, your actions big or small make a difference. Rescuing one meal, donating one item, or teaching one friend helps build a stronger movement.
How does this project fight stigma around hunger?
By showing that hunger can affect anyone, including neighbors, classmates, or coworkers, we teach empathy and compassion. Even heroes need help sometimes! No one does it alone.
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Needing help with food is nothing to be ashamed of — it’s something many families go through.
Heroes don’t judge. They step up, help where they can, and make their community stronger.
Be the Hero Someone Needs Today
Join the mission. Share the story. Change the world.
Whether you are a teacher looking for classroom tools, a parent seeking to inspire your kids, or a supporter ready to make a difference, Hunger Action Heroes Unite! gives you the power to take action.
