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More Than a Meal: How Feeding the Future is taking on Hunger Action Month
Hunger Action Month was launched in 2007 by the Feeding America Network making this September the 19th annual Hunger Action Month. Five Star created our non-profit Feeding the Future foundation in 2017 furthering the hope that no child goes hungry.
Through serving the cities of Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Louisville, Evansville, New Orleans, Dayton, Mobile, Pensacola, Huntsville, Tupelo, Macon, Columbus, Savannah, and the many rural communities in between. We undetstand the access to food impacts more than hunger. It affects focus, health, education, workplace performance, and overall quality of life.
We got an opportunity to down and have a conversation with Tracy Holl on why Feeding the Future is so important to Five Star. What started as a commitment to giving back has grown into an initiative focused on supporting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across the communities we serve and even more important on a month like this.
Morgan Holl, left, and wife Tracy Holl are the co-founders of Overlooked Materials glass collection and processing.
Tracy's path to Feeding the Future Foundation has been shaped by both professional experience and a heart for service. After working for the Department of the Army and later dedicating time to raising her children and volunteering in her community, she returned to the workforce with a desire to make a direct impact. Today, as Development Manager for Feeding the Future Foundation, Tracy works to further the organization's mission of helping children and families who face food insecurity every day.
Tracy wanted to get into non-profit because she “loves to serve and help others” and it was an opportunity that she jumped on.
"A common misconception is that people who need food assistance just need to get a job or work harder," Tracy shared. "But that's simply not the case." She explained that many of the individuals and families served by food banks are already working, sometimes juggling multiple jobs while still struggling to afford basic necessities. For these families, food insecurity isn't about a lack of effort. It's about having to make difficult choices between paying for housing, bills, and food.
With the rising cost of housing, groceries, utilities, and other everyday expenses, many families are finding themselves just above the poverty line. While they may not qualify for certain forms of assistance, their wages often haven't kept pace with the cost of living, leaving them struggling to afford necessities and access resources that could help.
Approximately 62% of Americans report living paycheck to paycheck in 2026, meaning they have little or no money left after covering monthly expenses. The financial strain affects households across income levels, including many middle-income and even six-figure earners.
Which begs the question well if everyone is strugglng how am I able to help if I cannot afford extra. Tracy also answered this for Five Star employees specifically “We are able to double our impact because Five Star matches every dollar given” so a little does go a long way
but giving back and helping your neighbor doesn't have to be montary she notes “other ways are serving or volunteering”
We have a few key events coming up:
The 3rd annual Nooga Hunger Walk & Run 2026, an event dedicated to raising awareness and funds to combat food insecurity in the region. Scheduled for Saturday, September 12th, the event will be hosted at the First Horizon Pavilion, located at Reggie White Blvd, and promises a family-friendly atmosphere with activities for all ages.
Participants can choose to walk or run a 5K course beginning at 8:30 a.m., with a new one-mile walk option starting at 8:45 a.m.
Volunteer: Chattanooga Area Food Bank
Saturday Set Up: 5:30-8am
Saturday Event: 8-11am
The annual Feeding the Future Golf Classic hosted by Five Star Breaktime Solutions and Feeding the Future is scheduled for Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club (1511 Riverview Rd, Chattanooga, TN). Check-in begins at 10:00 AM EDT with a shotgun start at 12:00 PM EDT
If you have any ideas that you think would benefit the community or serve as a meaningful outreach opportunity, Tracy is always open to suggestions and values feedback as she continues furthering the mission of supporting local food banks.
If your workplace is asking, "How can we do better and help those around us, especially in times of need?" Tracy says, "Companies have so many different resources... Teams can give financially, volunteer at food banks or pantries, and make a difference in their communities."
Tracy believes one of the most impactful things a company can do is create a culture of giving. When employees have opportunities to volunteer together and support causes they care about, it not only strengthens the community but also creates a sense of purpose and connection within the workplace.
Tracy encourages organizations of all sizes to ask a simple question: How can we use our strengths to help those in our community who need it most?
This is just a fraction of Tracy's story and the conversation around Hunger Action Month. If you'd like to hear her final advice, the biggest takeaway she wants everyone to remember, and of course, everyone's favorite Would You Rather questions, head over to our YouTube channel to watch the full video.
Hunger Action Month is about more than raising awareness. It's about understanding the realities of food insecurity, challenging misconceptions, and finding ways to make a difference in our communities. Watch the full conversation to hear Tracy's insights and learn how we can all play a part in helping those facing hunger.
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