Here's How to Combat Food Insecurity in Your Community

Hunger is an all-too-common issue in the United States. Food insecurity has increased sharply in America due to the widespread economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving laid off, furloughed, and reduced-time workers struggling to put food on the table.

It’s estimated that as many as 54.3 million people won’t have access to enough food for their households this year—up from 37 million pre-pandemic. That's over 16% of the country. In addition to turning to federal support, families have depended on local food banks to fill the gaps. These organizations face declines in donations and volunteers, but continue to do the hard work needed to help their communities.

Food insecurity can't be solved with just one approach‚ and no one form of aid is automatically better than another. So no matter what you're able to do in your community—volunteer, donate, advocate, organize—any work put toward food justice gets us one step closer to overcoming the problem for good. Here's how you can fight food insecurity and make a difference in your area.