HAP CareSource的动态

Food insecurity is not a new challenge, but one made worse by the pandemic. Now, food pantries, food banks, government agencies and philanthropic supporters are stepping up their efforts and evolving to better meet the needs of the community. This article is part of The Change Project, a series by NJ Spotlight News examining NJ’s social and economic challenges and focusing on promising actions that have led to positive change. #ChangeProjectNJ

Proud to share how our commitment to continuous improvement = more chances to give to those in need. As we continually refine nutrient-dense and compromise-free Rivalz Stuffed Snacks, we found ourselves with a surplus of product that was just as nutritious but not fully optimized. According to the Yolo County Food Access Survey, "an estimated 29% of households in Yolo County are facing food insecurity, 40% of those households with children, a figure that exceeds both state and national benchmarks." In line with our mission to help reduce obesity, diabetes and malnutrition, it was an obvious choice to donate nearly 80 pallets of our nutritious stuffed snacks to NorCal food banks. By doing so, we aim to provide tangible support and strengthen our commitment to positive change. NorCal Food Banks: Yolo Food Bank, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, French Family Food Bank, North Valley Community Food Bank

With pandemic-era boosts to government food aid ending in 2023, Hunger in Southern Colorado is chronic, and last fiscal year,?Care and Share’s hunger relief network—made up of nearly 300 frontline nonprofits and partners—saw a 40 percent increase in visits to food pantries compared to our previous fiscal year (July 2022-June 2023). This reality coupled with Care and Share’s food budget buckling under inflation in 2023, has forced us to buy less food, cut back on pandemic-born services, and reduce staff, to try our best to meet the growing needs of our partners, but it’s still not enough. What can we do? Advocate.?This year marks the?Farm Bill’s return, affecting crucial hunger-relief programs. This legislation surfaces only every 5 years. In addition, hunger and food insecurity are mere reflections of broader challenges: affordable housing, meager wages, racial and geographical disparities, limited healthcare access. We cannot food bank our way out of this. Let your voice resonate and advocate for a transformed environment fostering prosperity for all Americans. Humans designed the system we’re in, so it can be designed differently, if the will is there. Donate.?Year-round, Care and Share and all of our partners need food and funds to help Coloradans continue to make ends meet as economic pressures continue to ravage the budgets of our neighbors across Colorado. We need to continue to meet the immediate needs. Volunteer. Every act of volunteering contributes to a nonprofit’s vision. Your talents and time can become invaluable assets to nonprofits who are striving to become more efficient and to innovate. It takes us all working together. We all have a role to play—embrace that power!

In a concerning development, Texas has surpassed California in the percentage of the population that is food insecure, according to a report from Feeding America. This is particularly alarming as roughly half of the people who struggle to pay for meals don't qualify for federal assistance like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Houston Food Bank, Emancipation Economic Development Council (EEDC), and various faith organizations are working tirelessly to provide healthy food to the less fortunate. However, the struggle is real, with roughly one in six Texans being food insecure. This equates to a food insecurity nightmare, as the price tag for meeting the food needs of Harris County residents is estimated at $540 million. Despite these challenges, these organizations continue to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Trinity East UMC, for instance, operates a community pantry every second and fourth Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and every third Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The We Are One Mobile Food Pantry serves roughly 400 families every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The rise in demand for food assistance is attributed to the economic situation faced by many residents, including job losses, reduced hours, or low wages. The human connection that these organizations foster is a testament to the power of community and compassion. What are your thoughts on this issue? How can we as a society address food insecurity and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food? https://lnkd.in/gscmjYe7 #foodinsecurity #feedingamerica #texas #houstonfoodbank #eedc

?? My article about the pressing issue of food insecurity in New York State is now available in 'Your Schenectady news. It's crucial that we come together to combat this growing crisis and ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. Read the full article to learn about the initiatives I’m advocating for in this year's state budget and how you can get involved: https://lnkd.in/dwAQSMqs Let's make a difference together! ?? #FoodInsecurity #CommunityAction #YourSchenectadyNews

Appreciate Crystal Edmonson and Atlanta Business Chronicle spotlighting the extraordinary level of demand for food assistance that we're seeing right now across metro Atlanta and North Georgia. In June, 250,000 households visited food pantries affiliated with the Atlanta Community Food Bank. That's about 12% of our total population that went to a pantry to get food in the month of June. We're moving more food than we ever have - more than 500,000 lbs of food a day - and it's not enough. Driven by inflation, housing costs and healthcare costs, the economic pressure on low- and moderate-income families is intense, urgent and unsustainable. The Food Bank of course needs community support to continue responding aggressively. But we also need policy solutions that get more resources to these families and alleviate some of that pressure: * We need Congress to pass a Farm Bill that supports farmers and increases resources for families and food banks * We need Congress to pass the expanded Child Tax Credit, which would support more than 600,000 kids in Georgia * We need Georgia to opt into the Summer EBT program to provide additional resources to kids on free/reduced lunch while they're out of school * We need lawmakers at all levels to listen to constituents and realize how many of our neighbors are struggling right now ... and then make expanding resources for these families a top priority. In the meantime, we'll be working hard with all of you to get our neighbors the food they need. https://lnkd.in/gpYG7HgH https://lnkd.in/gZGGZDW2

Food Insecurity is a Community Crisis! Our community is facing a food insecurity crisis. Oak Tree 9 will help educate, support, and raise awareness about the amazing work Guelph/Wellington charities do to help people in our community access the nutritious food they need to thrive. Guided by a panel of expert community judges who understand the social, economic and logistical challenges involved, we are inviting local charities to submit applications for our $20,000 grand prize. The money can be used to expand or create programming that will get healthy and nutritious food to those who need it. Building Community Through Food Security Food security is a simple concept that requires a lot of complex coordination. At its core, food security is having consistent, reliable access to safe and nutritious food that brings nourishment and joy. Food security needs a lot of systems (production, storage, distribution and retail) to work closely together. It also requires everyone to have the financial means they need to buy food that is meaningful to them. In addition to being a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, and a basic human right, food security is a social, economic and environmental driver for our community. Like the other social determinants of health that The Oak Tree Project has explored, food security is an opportunity to build a more equitable, vibrant and resilient community. While it’s easy to overlook the importance of food security when it is not a personal challenge, it is a real barrier for many families to reach their full potential. According to recent data, as many as 1 in 4 children in Ontario lives in a food insecure household, and 18% of households in Guelph-Wellington identify as food insecure. Most of us likely know someone who worries about where their next meal will come from. #OakTreeProject #HopeHouseGuelph @oaktreeproject9

We kicked off #HungerActionMonth on Sunday, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger in America. It’s the time of year when many students head back to school, and for millions of children that may mean two more meals a day than they had over the summer. Many food insecure families fall within the SNAP Gap, a term we talk about in our documentary “Deserted,” that identifies families who make too much money (between $40,560 - $62,400 for a family of four depending on their state) but don’t make enough to adequately buy the food they need to maintain a healthy diet for their household. Healthy, nutrient-dense food is expensive. With limited resources, food insecure families may gravitate towards highly-processed foods that are calorically dense but lack nutrients. This leads to malnourishment, an inability to focus, irritability and for children, social and cognitive development issues that can impact the rest of their lives. It’s not hard to wrap your head around hunger, it is universally relatable. Think about the last time you were hungry. Was it hard to focus? How much did the hunger consume your thoughts and impact your performance? Imagine this every day, and without an end in sight. With the rise of food prices across the country and the end to many pandemic food relief programs, the 44.2 million food insecure Americans need not only awareness but systemic change in order to reach a long term solution. Many Americans are facing food insecurity for the first time. Food insecurity is all around you, it is silent, it does not present in one particular way, it is not kind, it seeps into someone’s entire life, and it is cyclical. There are things we can do to help our neighbors who are suffering from food insecurity. Below are resources where you can learn more, donate your time or funds should be able to do so, and step up to the plate this Hunger Action Month. Feeding America - Nationwide network of food banks and pantries. www.feedingamerica.org #FoodHelpline - For food banks near you. www.foodhelpline.org Partnership for a Healthier America - Promoting food equity through food donations and health education. www.ahealthieramerica.org #TheSalvationArmy - Food pantries all across America. www.salvationarmyusa.org In addition to the above you can: ?? Stock your community fridges ??Donate canned goods at food drives near you (pop top lids that don’t require a can opener are best for the unhoused population) ????♀? Volunteer in your community garden or food pantry - local produce helps provide healthy, nutrient dense and affordable food to your community. NYC-Specific Resources: City Harvest - Food rescue to prevent food waste and feed the community? www.cityharvest.org God's Love We Deliver - Diet specific meals for homebound New Yorkers - www.glwd.org To watch "Deserted": https://lnkd.in/e3HqPFPt Hernz Laguerre, Jr. What am I forgetting? Drop your food insecurity resources in the comments ??

Food Insecurity in the United States: A Challenge We Must Address Food insecurity remains a persistent and growing issue in the United States, affecting millions of individuals and families every year. According to recent data, over 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, live in households that struggle to access enough nutritious food. This issue goes beyond hunger—it impacts physical health, mental well-being, and economic stability. Families facing food insecurity are often forced to make impossible choices between basic needs like housing, healthcare, and nutrition. While charitable organizations and food banks play a crucial role in alleviating immediate needs, solving food insecurity requires systemic change. Expanding access to affordable, nutritious food through policy initiatives, sustainable food systems, and community-led solutions is essential. We also need to recognize and address the root causes, such as income inequality, rising costs of living, and gaps in social safety nets. Collaboration among government, businesses, nonprofits, and local communities can create innovative approaches to end food insecurity. Let's work together to ensure that no one in this country has to wonder where their next meal will come from. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, or policy reform, we all have a role to play in building a more equitable and food-secure future. How are you contributing to the fight against food insecurity? Let’s start the conversation. #FoodInsecurity #SocialJustice #SustainableSolutions #FoodAccess