HUNGER FACTS
44 million people in the United States are food insecure
13 million children in the United States are food insecure
49 million people turned to food programs in 2022
100%
of U.S. counties have food insecurity
May is...Hunger Awareness Month
Emergency Food Network identifies May as Hunger Awareness Month because the spring and summer months are typically a slower time for food drives and food donations, resulting in emptier food pantry shelves. Unfortunately, these dips in donations can occur when our community needs them as the school year ends.
In Pierce County, 49% of students receive free or reduced-cost meals through programs at school. While summer meal programs are available to replace these meals, data from the Food Research & Action Center shows that, prior to the pandemic, summer meal programs served only 1 in 7 students enrolled in school meal programs. During the summer months, food pantries become particularly critical for parents to feed their families when not receiving support from school meals.
Food donations and volunteers are needed now more than ever!
The number of food donations and volunteers in food banks and pantries in Pierce County has dipped dramatically, learn more here:
What will you do to make an impact on hunger in the month of May?
1. Donate to United Way's Centennial Celebration Protein Drive or the annual Letter Carriers Food Drive (May 11th)
- Stamp Out Hunger Letter Carriers’ Food Drive • May 11, 2024 - Emergency Food Network works closely with local postal workers to collect and share more than 200,000 pounds of food with its partner programs.
2. Participate in the Hunger Walk
- Emergency Food Network's Hunger Walk on May 4th - Hunger Walk
3. Get outside! There are many opportunities to get outside and volunteer with community gardens, summer meals and more!
With longer days and warmer temperatures, Spring is a great time to get outside to volunteer! Click below to explore some great outdoor opportunities.
- Volunteer at Mother Earth Farm
- Hilltop Urban Gardens - Community Garden Volunteer
- Harvest Pierce County - Veggie Co-op Farm Team Member
4. Support your local food bank - hold a food drive or volunteer!
Food banks run low on donated items during the summer months, but households are still in need of food. Click below to find out how to support our local food bank.
- Emergency Food Network
- Benefits Connectors: Help Connect Families with Food Benefits
- Nourish Pierce County - a variety of opportunities and locations!
- Puyallup Food Bank
- St. Leo Food Connection
- Bonney Lake Food Bank
- Eloise's Cooking Pot Food Bank
- Orting Food Bank
- Prince of Peace Lutheran Food Closet
- Eatonville Family Agency
- The Blessing Food Pantry
- The Salvation Army Tacoma