In September, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank launched the Around the Table social media campaign to reinforce that no matter the education level, employment status, or ethnicity, every individual deserves to have food to look forward to around the table.Â
The campaign was launched in line with Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month, which has taken place every September since 2008. Food Bank supporters were encouraged to participate in the hunger initiative by sharing photos of meals with their families with the hashtag #AroundTheTable to highlight the many ways households enjoy time and food around the table while raising awareness of food insecurity that 2 million LA County residents face.
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The work to provide food and nutrition assistance for the increasing number of families in need persists yearlong for the Food Bank and our partner agency network of 600+ nonprofits throughout the County. Hunger Action Month is an excellent opportunity to shed light on all communities coming together to support our food-insecure neighbors until our vision is ideally met – that no one goes hungry in LA County.
Historic inflationary rates have put financial pressure on households, who may already have fixed budgets to stretch and cannot absorb price increases on essential items such as food and fuel. Food-insecure families of LA County are also contending with high costs of living and transportation.Â
Before 2020, an estimated 1 in 5 people in LA County faced food insecurity. The economic impact of the pandemic and inflation have significantly impacted the food-insecure population. The Food Bank and community partners now serve more than 800,000 people monthly. Â
Through the unwavering support of donors, volunteers, partners and hunger-relief advocates, the Food Bank and our partners can work to help provide nutritious food resources to the food-insecure children, older adults, families and individuals in our community. The Food Bank is thankful for such a supportive community that continually shows up all year, including during the Around the Table campaign. Being a nonprofit organization, the community’s involvement is integral in the fight against hunger and the Food Bank thanks everyone involved for sharing their meals, family time and traditions #AroundTheTable.Â