By Darlene Brace
Many people in the United States eat plenty of food each day, often taking their food for granted and sometimes wasting it. Yet, in our country there are many people that are hungry and have food insecurity. Food insecurity has been defined by the USDA as “having the lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in the household to live an active and healthy life.”
who are food insecure, and for those that want to get involved to help.
Because of our country’s growing hunger problem, September has been designated as Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action Month was established by a hunger relief organization called Feeding America back in 2008. Feeding America decided it was time for nationwide awareness and involvement to help with the hunger crisis across the country. Feeding America has estimated that currently over 30 million people in the United States have food insecurity, and that in New York State alone, one out of nine people face hunger. Therefore, this is a local problem as well as national one.
Also, food insecurity doesn’t always happen to the homeless or poverty-stricken populations. Sometimes families have food insecurity occur suddenly because of a job loss or medical conditions. Many of these families who experience food insecurity suddenly do not qualify for federal nutrition programs like SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program). Either way, Feeding America is there to help. Going online to feedingamerica.org is a great way to find the help that is needed.
On feedingamerica.org there is a lot of information and resources for those who are food insecure, and for those that want to get involved to help. To assist those in need, most communities have local food pantries. The locations of the food pantries can be found on Feeding America’s website on their food pantry locator. Many food pantries and soup kitchens are held at local churches or other community centers. At some food panties, income and size of your family may affect your eligibility to receive help, but many pantries help anyone with no requirements.
Below there are several places in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus County that can provide help to those in need, or if you want to volunteer. Call the numbers listed for current days and times when they are open.
Friendly Kitchen Food Pantry 319 Washington Ave. Dunkirk NY 716-366-1787
Twice Fed Food Pantry 6813 N Main St Cherry Creek NY 716-296-5213
Saint Susan’s Center 31 Water St Jamestown NY 716-664-2253
Tree of Life Food Cupboard 825 Forrest Ave Jamestown NY 7164884235
Gowanda Love INC Food Pantry 24 W Main St Gowanda NY. 716-532-6130
The Lighthouse Food Kitchen 25 Jefferson St Salamanca NY 716-945-1041
St. Vincent Depaul Food Pantry 441 N Union St Olean NY 716-373-0815
Catholic Charities 28 Park Square Franklinville NY 716- 676-3215
U.C. of E Food Pantry 53 Elizabeth St Ellicottville NY716-699-4003
If you are not in need of this help yourself, but would like to help with this important endeavor, you can also go to feedingamerica.org. Here you can find information on several ways that you can get involved to help. One easy way to help is by making donations. You can make a one-time donation or monthly donations on feedingamerica.org. You can also donate food or money to local food pantries.
Another way to help would be to volunteer your time at a local food bank pantry or soup kitchen. You may help by sorting and packaging food, or preparing and serving food, depending on the type of services the organization provides. Some communities have gardens that were established to help by growing vegetables. Here you may help by planting crops as well as picking them when they are ready.
Many people have food insecurity, both locally and across our nation. If you are fortunate enough to have not experienced this yourself, maybe this is the time that you can get involved in helping in some way now.