Staff Blogger: Rena Arter, Advancement & Communications Intern
Hunger. It’s a word that most people use when their stomach grumbles after a few hours of having no food. But, for too many people, it’s a word that means no healthy, full meals for extended periods of time. There are people in our local community who are hungry, and not the kind of hungry most of us are used to halfway throughout the day.
According to www.feedingamerica.org, 14.2% of the Ottawa County population experienced food insecurity in 2013. That’s about 5,860 people. Food insecurity occurs when people lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
As a past volunteer at a food pantry, I know first-hand how helpful their efforts are to families in need. Without food pantries, the percentage rate of hungry individuals would be much higher. In turn, without volunteers, food pantries wouldn’t be in existence to help fight hunger. This is why I’d like to encourage you to volunteer your time at a food pantry.
