Hunger is a silent epidemic, affecting nearly one in six Americans. Though we cannot tell who is hungry from the clothes people wear, the jobs they work, or the color of their skin, nearly 49 million people in this country do not have access to enough food for an active and healthy life.

Each year, food banks across the country, like The Food Bank of Central Louisiana, serve millions of hungry Americans, people who are unable to afford enough food to feed their families.  The food insecurity rate for Central Louisiana is 15.2% (60,010 people), and the average cost of a meal is $2.34, according to new Map the Meal Gap research from Feeding America.

Last year, The Food Bank of Central Louisiana distributed more than 5.6 million pounds of food to 93 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other emergency food organizations. We expect to distribute even more this year.

We would not be able to continue this critical work without the help of volunteers. In addition to helping The Food Bank of Central Louisiana save time and labor costs, volunteerism helps raise awareness of hunger in America and promotes community involvement in solving the program.

We are so thankful for th 1,838 volunteers who worked 4,161 hours last year to help us work toward our mission of alleviating hunger in Central Louisiana.  We couldn't do it with you.