Every September, the Great Plains Food Bank joins food banks across the country in recognizing Hunger Action Month, a national movement led by Feeding America to raise awareness of hunger and inspire action. Across our region, we served 151,191 individuals in 2024, each facing unique and complex barriers to accessing food. Hunger Action Month is about more than raising awareness; it’s about ending hunger together.
Hunger doesn’t happen in isolation. It is connected to a variety of factors that make it harder for families to consistently access nutritious food – such as low wages, high housing costs, limited access to healthcare, and lack of reliable transportation. These challenges can be especially difficult for people living in rural areas, immigrant and refugee families, and communities of color, and those who face additional barriers. Addressing hunger means not only providing food today but also working with partners and communities to improve access to resources, strengthen local support systems, and create opportunities that reduce the need for emergency food assistance in the future.
That’s why we’re inviting you to take action today. Whether you’re learning more about the root causes of hunger, raising your voice through advocacy, giving your time by volunteering, or making a donation, every action matters. Educating ourselves and our communities builds the foundation for change. Advocacy pushes for the policies we need to ensure no one is left behind. Volunteering and donating are immediate ways to support neighbors who are working hard to make ends meet. However you choose to show up, be part of the solution.
We know hunger is solvable because we’ve seen what’s possible when communities come together. During Hunger Action Month and beyond, we invite you to stand alongside us to build a hunger-free region. Together, we can create the kind of future where everyone, no matter their circumstances, can access the food they need to thrive.