Kansas Declares September Military Family Hunger Action Month
Nearly 1 in 8 Kansans face food insecurity. For military families, it's 1 in 4.
On August 17, 2026, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly put that number on paper. She signed a proclamation declaring September 2026 Military Family Hunger Action Month across the state, and named Stronghold Food Pantry in it, by name.
It's one of the only state proclamations built around military family hunger specifically. Here's what happened, and why it matters well beyond Kansas.
Inside the Kansas Proclamation
The proclamation backs those numbers up with sources: statewide figures from Feeding America, and Department of Defense data. The state's response: formally recognize the month, and call on individuals, organizations, and communities to take collective action.
Stronghold is credited by name as a national leader in serving military families with dignity through fully customized food support, Pop-Up Pantries, and the Ambassador Program.
Stronghold was born right here in Kansas, so having our home state come alongside us in this work is incredibly meaningful. Supporting military families has always been a collective effort, and we’re grateful to the State of Kansas for helping us move that effort forward.
Why Military Family Food Insecurity Stays Hidden
This kind of hunger has always existed, it's just hidden in plain sight. Not because it isn't real, but because pride, fear of repercussions, and embarrassment keeps people quiet, and PCS orders keep families moving before anyone notices. The system built to help often works against them.
Most people don't know that when a family's earnings are reviewed for food assistance, Basic Allowance for Housing counts as income. That one line disqualifies many of the families who need help most; families who look fine on paper while they choose between groceries and gas.
That need can also spike fast, and often without warning. During the October 2025 government shutdown, when military paychecks were thrown into uncertainty, we saw a 300% increase in families reaching out for help, a spike covered by Time among others.
From a Garage to 26 States
Stronghold started in a garage in 2022, when our founder and CEO decided she was done pretending families weren't struggling. Today we run brick-and-mortar pantry at Fort Leavenworth, Pop-Up Pantries at installations across the country, and a national Ambassador Program reaching families at 72 military installations across 26 states. All of which is carried out almost entirely by volunteers.
Every family gets a full week of groceries, 21 meals per family, scaled to their household. We learn a family's name, their allergies, their cultural food preferences, and their cooking capacity, before a single bag is packed. Nothing pre-assumed. Nothing wasted.
So far, that adds up to more than 202,800 meals supported and 237,000 pounds of food distributed. That's what Kansas just put its name behind.
What This Means for Hunger Action Month
September is Hunger Action Month nationally. This year, we’re especially grateful to the State of Kansas for recognizing Military Hunger Action Month and helping pave the way for greater impact. Kansas military families can be proud to know their state recognizes the need and their role in this important effort.
For donors and partners, that's independent proof. For military families quietly going without, it's confirmation that what they're feeling has a name. And that Kansas and Stronghold see it.
Your Gift Feeds a family this military family hunger action month
A proclamation spreads awareness of the challenges faced by military families and drives the opportunity for greater collective awareness. It is not, on its own, a week of groceries on a family's table. That part still comes down to donors, and so far, donors have helped us serve more than 18,168 people.
Every gift during Hunger Action Month goes toward 21 meals per family member, delivered with dignity to a family who needs it. Kansas just told the state this problem is real. Now let's feed its military families.
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