The Realities of Living with Food Insecurity: How You Can Help This July
In today’s world, food insecurity affects millions of individuals and families who struggle to find their next meal. This issue is even more pressing in diverse communities, including the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) demographic. Over 19% of Pacific Islanders and about 6% of Asian Americans in the U.S. face hunger. Recent immigrants from nations like Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal experience food insecurity at alarmingly high rates, sometimes reaching 30%.
But among these sobering statistics, it’s the personal stories that truly show what people face. Solutions to food insecurity often arise through the dedicated efforts of community-based organizations and support systems like the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
Read more to hear a real-life story from two lifelong friends and learn how the Foodbank makes it easy for volunteers to host a food drive through their annual July event.
Meet Ms. Lam and Ms. Gong — Foodbank Friends
Ms. Lam and Ms. Gong were no strangers to hardship, but one important day at a buzzing Foodbank Pop-Up pantry marked a turning point in their lives. The atmosphere was filled with activity, showing how these events go beyond food—they represent solidarity and resilience within the community.
Several years ago, both women learned about the Foodbank through their neighbors. This connection brought them together, even though they lived in different senior housing units, and cemented a friendship based on shared experiences of food insecurity.
At first, Ms. Lam relied on a Home Delivered Grocery (HDG) service but was thrilled to personally explore the pantry’s offerings. She was impressed by the selection, especially the perishable proteins and fragile eggs that were difficult to deliver via HDG.
“They provide everything that I need, and I can easily use Cantonese ingredients to make dishes that I like,” she said. Both women vividly remember their childhoods in famine-stricken Guangzhou, China. Ms. Gong recalled, “I experienced food insecurity as a child in China. We rarely ate meat, and our meals mostly consisted of vegetables mixed into rice. We had to learn to eat less to make it through the day.”
From meat as a luxury and strict portion counting to free-reign of nutritious meals, the change since then has been remarkable. “We grew up constantly worrying about food, and having access to food pantries like this in America is a huge relief,” Ms. Gong noted.
United by their experiences, Ms. Lam and Ms. Gong expressed deep gratitude for the pantry and the precious support from their community, stating with confidence, “Our lives have changed significantly for the better.”
Become a Hunger Hero with Foodbank
Helping people like Ms. Lam and Ms. Gong is both impactful and accessible through the Hunger Heroes campaign, which runs from July 15th to the 29th of 2024. This signature event by the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore brings the community together in a competitive yet meaningful way. By participating in Hunger Heroes, you have the opportunity to support families and individuals who depend on this vital aid, especially during the summer months when school meals are unavailable.
Hunger Heroes invites local businesses, organizations, community groups, and individuals to form teams. And engage in various activities such as fundraising, learning how to host a food drive, setting up a food drive donation box, and volunteering. The competition is structured into different team sizes, ranging from Small (1-9 members) to Enterprise (1,000+ members), making it inclusive for all. Special events like the Miles for Meals kick-off add extra opportunities to collect points and push harder towards the common goal.
Every stride, every meal, and every hour you contribute translates directly into food on the table for those in need. To get involved, you can register your team or participate individually on the Hunger Heroes webpage. Contact us for more information.