How to Help Your Hungry Neighbors
In a country with an abundance of food and great wealth, it’s shocking that 47 million people (about twice the population of New York) struggle with hunger in the United States, including 1 in 4 (13 million) children. There are hungry people in every community, rich and poor.
In the face of such a daunting problem, remember the words of Mother Teresa, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
In your community, food banks, soup kitchens, community gardens and other sites in your community need you to help “feed just one.” Anyone can find a volunteer role that suits their skills and schedule, such as:
- Sort food, check expiration dates, and pack food for distribution
- Distribute food to families facing hunger
- Maintain and harvest fresh produce grown at local farms or community gardens
- Run a food drive at your business, organization, department, school, or civic group
- Organize or join a meal packing event so that families and children have shelf-stable meals year-round
- Assemble snack packs for local schools. The snacks will be used by teachers and/or school nurses when a student needs food.
- Provide office support at food centers
Your local United Way can help you find an effective way to volunteer.
People from all walks of life can become food insecure; many Americans are just one financial struggle away from being hungry. It takes volunteers banding together to help our neighbors, one meal at a time.
To get involved in your community, find out what your local United Way is doing to combat hunger.