Hunger is a big problem in our community. It affects nearly 300,000 people throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, including 1 in 7 children.

There are two main causes of hunger: geography and financial means.

When low wages meet high costs of living, hunger is inevitable. Much like an ecosystem can become unstable, our food system is out of balance. The majority of neighbors facing hunger hold jobs that simply don't pay enough to make ends meet, or that pay just enough to live paycheck-to-paycheck. One unexpected expense, such as a car repair or medical bill can lead these self-sufficient people to pantries for help.

Locality also affects the possibility of experiencing hunger. Just like we need a power grid that delivers electricity to all the parts of our community, we also need a grid that allows healthy food to reach every neighbor in need. Right now, that grid is well-developed in some areas and patchy or even non-existent in others. For example, some neighbors live in rural or urban communities where access to grocery stores is limited. The stores that are nearby either lack healthy options or these items are being sold at unaffordable prices.

Hunger affects every aspect of life, from education and health to a child's cognitive development. Because if you are hungry, you cannot thrive.

The good news is that you can make a big difference by starting a fundraiser for Feeding America West Michigan. Every dollar you help raise enables us to provide 4 meals worth of food for our neighbors in need. Last year, we distributed 24.2 million pounds of food - equivalent to 20 million meals - but there is still more to do. We must distribute 4.6 million more meals to meet the need in our community.

Join us in the fight against hunger! Together, we can end it.