This piece is co-authored by Diana Aviv, Chief Executive Officer of Feeding America.
The upcoming holidays should be a happy time, but for some people the additional financial strain of the season produces extra anxiety and stress – especially for families who struggle to meet their basic needs.
Take Liz, a single mother in Chicago who recently went back to school to create a better life for her children. She reflects on how difficult it is for her boys to see their friends receiving gifts that she can’t afford and notes that her local food pantry has been an invaluable resource in creating her family’s own special holiday memories. Liz knows that her family’s path forward is enabled through the support of the food pantry.
Liz is just one of the millions of Americans who rely on food banks to help feed their families. Many people who face hunger are employed, yet are still forced to make difficult decisions on where to place their limited funds, such choosing between paying for rent, utilities and food.
With the economic recovery, we are seeing some hopeful signs. The USDA recently reported that the food insecurity rate in the U.S. has dropped from 14 to 12.7 percent, or from 48 million to 42.2 million people. We know that hunger is a symptom of poverty, a complex issue that requires comprehensive solutions. Also, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the number of people living in poverty has declined from 14.8 percent to 13.5 percent. It’s great progress, but with more Americans at risk of hunger than the entire population of Canada, our economic recovery is clearly still leaving many behind. There’s a long way to go in order to eliminate the challenge of hunger in our country.
No one sector or entity can end hunger. That’s why Feeding America, the nation’s largest, domestic hunger-relief organization and Bank of America have partnered for five years on Give A Meal, an initiative that raises awareness and funds to address food insecurity. The program provides individuals an opportunity to donate to support hunger relief and receive a 2:1 match from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Donations can be made to support a local food bank according to zip code or to support Feeding America directly. Over the past five years, more than 200 million meals have been raised for individuals and families in need.
This holiday season, there are many demands on time and budget. We believe that supporting people facing hunger is one of the most powerful ways you can help individuals and families get on a path to success. It’s not just the food. Some food banks offer resources, such as budgeting workshops or benefits guidance to help families chart a better path. And if you are not able to make a donation, consider giving your time. Food banks and pantries rely on volunteers to help them achieve their mission and serve people in need. Let’s end hunger together – and help families like Liz’s achieve not only a brighter holiday season, but also a brighter future.