This September, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, together with 200 Feeding America food banks nationwide, will mobilize across all 50 states to raise awareness about hunger.
Locally, the Foodbank, in conjunction with the Ohio Association of Food Banks, Feeding America and food banks across the country, is encouraging Congress to support a strong 2023 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill governs nutrition and agriculture programs that work in tandem with food banks to fight food insecurity. Inflation and reduced food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continues to cause an increase in need for food by local families.
“There are more visits to the Foodbank’s hunger-relief network now than during the pandemic,” said Dan Flowers, Foodbank president and CEO. “We’re doing all we can to feed our neighbors facing hunger, but the current crisis our food bank and food banks across the country are facing is unprecedented. Our inventory cannot keep pace with the current demand – food is leaving our warehouse quicker than it’s coming in.”
The Foodbank and its network of food pantries have experienced a 31% increase in people seeking help. Of individuals visiting pantries, 20% of the families were new, meaning they’ve never visited a pantry before.
The Foodbank’s Keith D. Monda Family Food Pantry in the Stark County Campus is experiencing the increase in need firsthand. The pantry has seen a 162% increase in visits by neighbors seeking help, and pounds of food distributed is up 160%.
Hunger Action Month activities:
- USE YOUR VOICE – Encourage Congress to support a strong 2023 Farm Bill that increases TEFAP funding and supports SNAP. Contact your representatives at akroncantonfoodbank.org/HAM.
- HUNGER ACTION DAY – On Sept. 15 wear orange, the color of hunger relief. Snap a photo to share on social media using #acrfb and #HungerActionMonth.
- VOLUNTEER – Visit akroncantonfoodbank.org/volunteer to learn about volunteer opportunities.
- MAKE A DONATION – $1 can help provide enough food 4 meals.
Volunteer. Engage. Advocate. Donate. Everyone has a role to play in fighting hunger. Take action today by joining your Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank at akroncantonfoodbank.org/HAM or 330.535.6900.