Imagine having to make the decision of paying an important bill or feeding your family.
Consider what you’ve eaten this week. How indulgent were you? How much went to waste? Could a small portion of that expense serve more people through a donation to end food insecurity in our region?
The Greater Lansing Food Bank is seeing a 35% increase in the number of households reaching out to its partner food pantry network for assistance. The food bank’s 4,000-square-mile, seven-county service area encompasses Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Isabella and Shiawassee counties.
Rising costs, job loss, a missed paycheck, raised rent, or a sudden expense due to illness or hospitalization are all factors that can decimate a family’s budget during this time. Having to choose between paying bills and providing nourishing meals to your family is a devastating thought.
Here are a few facts about food insecurity, provided by Feeding America:
- 49 million people turned to food programs in 2022.
- 44 million people in the United States are food insecure, including 13 million children.
- 100% of U.S. counties have food insecurity.
The Greater Lansing Food bank distributed 11.08 million pounds of food in 2022 with 26 900-volunteer-hours completed. But the need has grown. Programs provided by the nonprofit include pantries, the Garden Project, home delivery, weekend kits, care kits, senior programs, and food assistance and resources. Those programs can’t run without the help of community.
To play a role in ending hunger for our neighbors, you can volunteer or give to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
If you need help, visit greaterlansingfoodbank.org/gethelp.
