Feeding America

Dave Rudolph is excited for bright days ahead at the Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA) food pantry in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. The pantry, which has operated in suburban Minneapolis since 1976, is ready to expand its outreach in the community as they emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to continuing to provide groceries for 17,000 households, SACA is raising funds to construct a new building where they hope to provide social services like job, health, and housing assistance for the nearly 50,000 people they serve.

Dave, who is one of the pantry’s co-directors, said that dignity is at the center of SACA’s work. That means giving people the opportunity to choose their own food at a pantry that’s set up like a grocery store. And through the attached thrift store, they provide access to quality goods sold at garage sale prices. SACA also offers vouchers for those who need additional financial assistance.

SACA, a partner agency of Second Harvest Heartland, tries to go the extra mile, like distributing quality can openers to their unhoused community. They also give fresh flowers to people at the pantry. “People need the food,” he said, “but you’ll see people that start crying because they haven’t been able to get flowers” for a long time. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a big difference to people, Dave said.

Pets are part of the family, and no family should have to choose between feeding themselves or their pets.

Just like us, pets need nutritious food to stay healthy and happy. That's why amazing food banks, like our friends at San Antonio Food Bank, offer pet food assistance programs. 🐾

If you or someone you know needs pet food assistance, you can search for a local food bank that offers pet food assistance here: bit.ly/2HzLJsW

Pets are family, and no family should face hunger. Our pet programs ensure that every furry friend in our community gets the love and nourishment they deserve.

Learn more about our pet program at safoodbank.org/pets 🐾

Older adults often have low or fixed incomes, making it hard to juggle the high costs of food and other essentials like housing and medical bills.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides seniors with healthy foods through monthly food boxes. Congress can help seniors facing hunger by increasing CSFP investments in the next farm bill!

🖊️ Tell lawmakers: Support and strengthen CSFP in next farm bill ➡️ https://bit.ly/46TnApm

🧡 Share this post to help fuel the movement to end hunger!

The 153,124 pounds of food collected at FeedMore WNY’s food drive is truly inspiring. This is a shining example of the power of community coming together to make a difference. 🌟

Want to create a similar impact in your community? Click here to learn how to organize a traditional or virtual food drive: bit.ly/3V3Wg3H

Together, we can make a powerful difference.

“Hablame. Talk to me,” Stephanie Rodriguez says when people visit the Make the Road New York food pantry in Queens, New York. “I’m Dominican. Talk to me.”

Stephanie knows that language can be a barrier to accessing healthy, reliable food.

When her family arrived in 2005, they spoke little English. For six years, they struggled to afford food until they learned that they could receive groceries at food pantries.

Stephanie wants to make sure no other families go hungry like hers did.

“Food is everything, especially right now when everything is so expensive,” she said. “A lot of people have lost their jobs.”

Most families who visit the pantry are Spanish speakers. Having someone talk to them in the same language means they feel safe and confident.

“They know, ‘I could get food if I talk to her. She knows my language,’” Stephanie said.

Stephanie started as a volunteer at Make the Road, a partner agency of the Food Bank For New York City, in 2019. She remembers her mentor, Tania Mojica, brought her to the organization and told her “I trust you.”

During cold winter mornings, Tania brewed coffee to take out to people living in the streets.

“That was my inspiration right there,” Stephanie said. “She never liked to see anybody suffering.”

Today, Stephanie works on staff as a Food Pantry Associate at Make the Road. Every Wednesday, they distribute groceries to nearly 300 people. They also offer deliveries and pick-up appointments.

The people who come ask for Stephanie.

“I know how they feel,” she said, and “it makes me happy to see somebody else happy.”

When Angel Díaz retired from General Motors five years ago, he knew he didn’t want to just sit around.

“I wanted to do something to help people, to give them something to look forward to,” he said, so he started volunteering at the Advance Community Center food pantry, a partner of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Having lived in the area for most of his life, Angel has witnessed the cost of living climb higher and higher. With recent inflation and rent hikes, “there are a lot of people in need,” he said.

“It hurts to see that in this rich nation of ours, people go hungry and are suffering,” he said. He hopes that through the pantry, his neighbors feel supported and that they “can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Want to make an impact in your community? Volunteer at your local food bank! 🧡

Food banks offer a variety of ways to get involved. From helping at farmers’ market-style distributions like at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, to supporting with home deliveries.

Learn more about the many volunteer opportunities available at your local food bank: bit.ly/2Z2Otqe

8-year-old Lily is a jokester, and she has a really good idea of what she wants to be when she grows up.

“I want to be myself when I grow up,” she says through a big grin.

Lily says she likes math, and really likes the food she gets at a summer meals program in Maine that she visits with her older sister Makaila.

🌞 Find out more about summer meal programs in your community here: bit.ly/3y1WTBH

Hurricane Debby, which made landfall Monday in Florida as a Category 1 Hurricane, has weakened to a tropical storm as it moves across the nation.

For the next few days, it is expected to dump potentially historic levels of rain and bring catastrophic flooding. The storm has begun to hit the Carolina coast, and communities in New England are bracing for impacts in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York.

Our partners at Feeding Florida and Feeding the Carolinas are working hard to ensure everyone in the storm's path is cared for, but we need your help to assist as many people as we can.

Donate now: feedingamerica.org/Debby

Today on Farmworker Appreciation Day, and every day, Feeding America recognizes the hardworking individuals in the agricultural sector who work tirelessly to ensure our tables are never without fresh produce. These farmworkers help us to ensure neighbors are nourished nationwide and have the food they need to thrive.

Share your gratitude in the comments below 🧡

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama is making a difference in the lives of children and families in Alabama! 🍎📚

Children deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential in school. Providing food and school supplies helps ensure they have the nourishment and resources needed to succeed.

Let’s work together to end childhood hunger! Learn more about how you can help: bit.ly/3vBuVaG

To Alvin Ryan and Ami McGrath, surviving Hurricane Ian in their Arcadia, Florida home was all about community.

Ami lives with Alvin and his 99-year-old mother, whom she cares for.

Trees fell all around their house. Their food had spoiled in their refrigerator after nine days without electricity, and the recovery efforts would be ongoing for weeks.

But they survived the storm together, and they began to rebuild together, Ami said.

People in the community cleared the street, and Ami and Alvin grilled meat for their neighbors. Alvin even lent a generator to a neighbor who lost power.

Together, Ami and Alvin visited an All Faiths Food Bank mobile distribution, which would help restock their kitchen.

“I was stationed in Key West. I was stationed in San Diego. I was stationed in Japan. I've been around the world twice,” Alvin said.

“I've been through five hurricanes, three typhoons, six earthquakes. I've seen it all,” he said. “This is the worst one I've ever been in.”

Learn more about Feeding America's Disaster Relief programs here: bit.ly/48qRAJz

More than 22 million kids in the U.S. rely on school meals during the year. During the summer months, when school is out of session and school meals are no longer available, food banks step in with programming to help get nutritious food to children during summer.

From discreet backpack programs and school pantry programs to mobile meal distribution sites and support for community youth programs, the Feeding America network provides food to children where they are and when they need it most.

Find programs in your community here: bit.ly/49lvt6K

“Food is like a memory. Food is good feelings,” Ana Perez said while attending the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida Culinary Training Program in Orlando.

Ana Perez grew up helping her mother bake cakes in Venezuela. “She started selling them because we needed the money,” Ana said. “I was always next to her. I was always watching.”

Their first cake – a recipe from her grandmother – was magical to Ana. It was “a beautiful, delicious cake,” she said.

Ana and her family moved to Florida a decade ago when she was 11. After graduating from high school in 2020, Ana found that, without a permanent U.S. residency status, her career options were limited.

When her aunt told her about the food bank’s culinary program, Ana was excited to follow in her mother’s steps.

Ana’s first week was challenging, she said. “You have to be focused. You have to be prepared. You have to open your mind and be passionate and ready for work.”

The 16-week program provides free kitchen and life skills training to help people pursue sustainable careers in the food industry.

Now nearing graduation, Ana is excited to start her career as a chef. She wants more restaurant experience and hopes to continue her culinary education.

Her dream is to return to Venezuela to open a restaurant, perhaps gourmet. “In my country, there’re not a lot of restaurants like that,” she said. “I want to open something new.”

Earlier this year, tax legislation passed in the House with broad bipartisan support. The bill included improvements to the Child Tax Credit—a proven tool to help millions more children and families thrive. The expanded Child Tax Credit would offer meaningful help to 16 million children in its first year, lifting as many as 400,000 kids above the poverty line!

The Senate plans to vote TODAY on this bipartisan tax legislation. Feeding America urges the Senate to VOTE YES on H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act! ⏳

Zoon Nguyen is taking on an incredible challenge—running across the country to raise awareness and funds for Feeding America! 🌟 His campaign is about so much more than running—it's about overcoming obstacles and making a difference.

Every mile he runs brings him closer to his goal of providing 1 million meals to neighbors. Let’s support Zoon and show the power of community! Visit www.MilesforMeals.us to learn more and donate.

Healthy food should be accessible to everyone! 🍅

Our partner food banks are working hard to make that happen. San Antonio Food Bank’s farmers' markets provide high-quality produce directly to families and seniors in the community.

If you are looking for food assistance, you can find your local food bank by clicking here: bit.ly/1ASBSlU

We're dedicated to increasing access to fresh, nutritious produce. At our farmers' markets, we partner with local farmers to bring high-quality fruits and vegetables directly to families and seniors in need! 🧑‍🌾

Learn more about our farmers' markets and view our schedule at safoodbank.org/farmersmarkets 🍎

Summer Fridays, days off, and family fun - that’s what summer is all about! But with 1 in 5 kids facing hunger, Feeding America is adding ‘supporting our neighbors’ to that list. This summer, you can support local programs like mobile meal sites and summer meals for kids by volunteering and hosting virtual food drives.

🧡 Rally your team and organize an employee giving campaign on Team Feed Corporate: bit.ly/3tVIrJc
💚 Check if your employer will match your donation: bit.ly/3Si7jTV

When kids are fed, futures are nourished – join us today!

Wherever Sgt. Jaliscea Grantham goes, she serves others.

“I just love helping people.” That’s why she joined the Army, following in the footsteps of many of her relatives.

Since moving to the Colorado Springs area last year, she has volunteered her free time at the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.

Recently, Jaliscea visited the organization’s 7th annual Patriot Day food distribution, an event designed to serve veterans, military members and their families. They distributed produce, meat and other groceries to 831 people, including 448 veterans and 301 active-duty military families.

As many as 160,000 active-duty military members faced food insecurity last year, according to the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, and Jaliscea has witnessed a lot of hunger in the area.

“Most people that need help, they’re afraid to say it,” she said.

Jaliscea tries to let others know about the distributions, but she can’t reach everyone. “If more people knew about it, more people would be here,” she said.

The matriarch of a blended family, Jaliscea and her husband have seven children ranging in age from one to thirteen. They also care for her father.

She said that the distribution of fresh produce and non-perishable food helps keep everyone eating healthily.

The kids are especially excited about the fruit. “They love bananas, apples, oranges, strawberries. They love it all.”

“I don’t make a lot,” she said. “After I pay my bills, I’m pretty much done.” At times, she has wondered, “how are we going to eat this week? Or how are we going to eat next week?”

“Coming here helps us a lot,” she said.

We are grateful for the support and generosity of our national partners. By investing in our mission, they help to expand and elevate the transformative work the Feeding America food bank network provides each day to alleviate hunger in communities across the country.

Their support helps minimize food waste, and sustainably and equitably increases food security for people facing hunger. Learn how our partners, like North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers - NAFEM and RTX, support us to drive lasting hunger relief in the U.S. and inspire others to join the movement to end hunger.

Learn more: bit.ly/3WdF5f4

Maria Alcala brought her 7-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank distribution at Brumby Elementary School in Marietta, Georgia.

The food they received that day “helps so much,” she said. “Everything now is expensive.”

Maria works in housekeeping. “I have a job, but that’s not enough,” she said.

She loves to cook food traditional to her family, including rice, beans and chicken, she said, though Jaden, her 7-year-old son, said he loves it when his mom makes pasta.

“I like eating with my family,” Jaden said.

Through the National School Lunch Program, Jaden also enjoys breakfast and lunch at his school.

We had a thrilling weekend at Iowa Speedway earlier this month, where numerous leaders from partner food banks across the Midwest including Feeding America's own Chief Supply Chain Officer, Erika Thiem, came together at the Hy-Vee One Step 250 INDYCAR Race to support the movement to end hunger. Erika thanked Hy-Vee and its suppliers and customers for funding 75 million of the company’s 100 Million Meals goal so far. And the retailer isn’t stopping until it crosses the finish line!

Throughout the 2024 NTT INDYCAR season, Hy-Vee will continue to work with partner food banks to raise awareness about hunger through its register round-up across all Hy-Vee, Dollar Fresh Market, and Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations.

Learn more about how you can help Hy-Vee’s campaign: bit.ly/3rKcmD1

When disaster strikes, food banks are among the first to respond—ready to deploy and provide support, food and supplies to impacted communities. As weather crises like tornados, hurricanes and wildfires intensify, it is crucial that federal programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)—which moves food from farms to food banks to people who need food assistance—have the necessary resources to meet demand.

🖊️ Tell Congress to help food banks provide essential aid when disaster strikes—strengthen TEFAP in the next farm bill: https://bit.ly/3WaakYk

🧡 Share this post to help fuel the movement to end hunger!

Food insecurity means not knowing where your next meal will come from, or having to choose between groceries and other essential needs. This impacts over 44 million people in the U.S. each year, including 13 million children.

At Feeding America, we believe everyone deserves to have access to the food and resources they need to thrive. That’s why the Feeding America network of food banks and pantries across the country provides support to their local communities.

Learn more about food insecurity here: bit.ly/3kNFBy4