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Why are people hungry?
This is a perplexing and frustrating question. Basically, there's no reason for Americans to be hungry. There's plenty of food. The problem has always been overcoming the economic and political obstacles that prevent food from reaching those who need it. Ending hunger means solving these more systemic problems while at the same time doing everything we can on a daily basis to feed hungry people.
Eastern Massachusetts is especially vulnerable to hunger. That's because most of the food in our country moves from west to east. This puts us at the end of the distribution pipeline, which is generally a more expensive and logistically complex place to be. We also have cold winters that strain the finances of families who must pay to heat their homes. And, we live in one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation.
People are also hungry because they get sick or injured, a spouse or parent dies, or they lose a job. Unfortunately, these "bad breaks" happen all the time to people in all socio-economic conditions, forcing them to make painful choices between, for example, feeding their children and paying their rent.
Where are people hungry in our region?
People are hungry everywhere in our region. Not one community among the 190 cities and towns we serve is immune. That's because hunger is as much a problem of working-class and middle-class people as it is a challenge faced by the poor. The 321,500 people we serve in eastern Massachusetts live and work in all of our cities, suburbs, and rural regions.
How many children are hungry in our region?
Proper nutrition is essential to a child's physical and mental development and well-being. Unfortunately, more than 109,000 children are at risk of going hungry on any given day in eastern Massachusetts. Thanks to you, we're doing everything we can to help reduce the number of hungry and malnourished children here and, hopefully, to eliminate the problem of childhood hunger altogether.
Can hunger ever be solved?
Hunger in America can be solved. It takes leadership and political will. Ending hunger will require that the public and private sectors join in a determined partnership to address the economic, political, and personal barriers that contribute to hunger. You have a role. In addition to making a financial contribution, volunteering and/or donating food, you can let our politicians know that you also want them to be engaged in solving the issue. Click here to find out how to take political action.
What is The Food Bank's service area?
The Food Bank serves 190 communities in eastern Massachusetts. Our reach extends roughly from Lowell and Lawrence in the northeastern part of the state, through the Greater Boston area, down to Cape Cod, Fall River, New Bedford, and the southeastern part of the state, and over to (but not including) the Worcester area. Use our Agency Locator to find an agency in your area.
How can I help?
There are many ways to help. You can donate money. You can donate food. You can volunteer. And you can take political action by writing to your elected officials. We thank you in advance for helping in any way that you can.
For every dollar you give, The Food Bank can distribute $4 worth of donated food to hungry people. We welcome your donations via check, or online with American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. Learn more about Financial Donations.
The Food Bank also relies on the generosity of more than 600 food donors, including supermarkets, wholesalers, restaurants, distributors, manufacturers, and others, particularly through the Second Helping program. Individuals and organizations can also donate food through Food Drives and our Virtual Food Drives.
With the help of more than 10,000 volunteers, The Food Bank provides food to more than 320,000 people throughout eastern Massachusetts. Volunteers help in many ways, including inspecting, sorting, and packing food in our Boston warehouse. Learn more about Volunteering.
Finally, we ask you to take political action, which is the only way we can truly end hunger. Tell your congressman, state senator, or representative that you will not accept hunger in our region. You can also help us speak out about specific legislation.
What are Emergency Food Providers?
Emergency Food Providers are organizations that distribute bags or boxes of groceries and/or prepare meals on-site to serve to those in need. Our member agencies receive much of the food they distribute from our organization.
There are three classifications of Emergency Food Providers:
- Food Pantries provide groceries to those in need of one-time emergency or occasional food assistance.
- Soup Kitchens cook and serve regularly scheduled meals to walk-in guests.
- Emergency Shelters are short-term, residential programs that cook and serve meals to clients for up to six months.
What is America's Second Harvest—The Nation's Food Bank Network?
America's Second Harvest is a network of food banks across the United States. The Greater Boston Food Bank is a member of America's Second Harvest and follows its rules and regulations.
What is Second Helping?
Second Helping, a prepared and perishable food rescue program delivers surplus food from restaurants, caterers, hotels, corporate cafeterias, and universities directly to soup kitchens and emergency shelters throughout eastern Massachusetts. Second Helping has been safely collecting and distributing donated food since 1989.
What is Brown Bag?
The Brown Bag program works in partnership with community organizations to provide a supplemental bag of groceries to seniors, disabled individuals, and families once a month. A typical 15-pound bag might contain milk, cheese, pasta, rice, ground beef, tuna, green beans, peanut butter, and oatmeal, based on availability.
What is Kids Cafe?
Kids Cafe is The Food Bank's after-school and summer meal program. Offered in partnership with local Boys & Girls Clubs, Kids Cafe provides nutritious meals and nutrition education to more than 1,000 disadvantaged children every week in safe, accessible locations.
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