September is National Hunger Action Month—a time to raise awareness about hunger, advocate for change, and take meaningful action to combat food insecurity.
Hunger is not a distant problem. It’s here, in our neighborhoods, schools, and churches. It’s the quiet reality for a senior choosing between groceries and medicine… for a single parent stretching the last box of pasta to make it through the week… for a child going to bed with an empty stomach.
The numbers are alarming: the latest Map the Meal Gap report from Feeding America shows that 15.7% of households, 46,440 neighbors, in Northeastern North Carolina don’t have enough to eat. In the past year alone, the demand for food assistance has surged more than 15%. That means 1 in 6 families are unsure of where their next meal will come from.
At the Food Bank of the Albemarle, we see the faces behind these numbers—parents skipping meals so their children can eat, seniors choosing between medicine and groceries, and neighbors who never imagined they’d need help. Our neighbors often share with us the impact of the food and assistance they receive.
Angela, a regular visitor to the Food Bank’s Neighborhood Hub Food Pantry, recently shared how access to our fresh produce and nutrition education classes in our Teaching Kitchen has helped transform her health. Through better eating habits and lifestyle changes she learned at the Food Bank, she’s now living a fuller, healthier life. Stories like Angela’s are not rare—they’re the heartbeat of our mission. Watch Angela’s Story Here.
This impact is also made possible by the incredible generosity—and partnership—of our local farmers and agricultural community. Through our intentional crop-purchasing program, we pay farmers to plant and harvest acres of fruits and vegetables specifically for families in need. This not only ensures a steady supply of fresh, healthy food for our neighbors, but also provides farmers with a dependable market—supporting local agriculture and keeping dollars in our rural economy. It’s a full circle of giving: we invest in our farmers, our farmers feed our community, and together we help both people and local business thrive.
Despite rising costs and dwindling resources, we remain committed to providing nutritious food to every neighbor in need across the 15 counties we serve. But we cannot do it alone.
This Hunger Action Month, we’re asking you—our community—to stand with us. Your voice, your time, and your generosity can make a life-changing difference.
- Donate – A few dollars can have a big impact. Every dollar donated to the Food Bank will provide food for 3 meals. Hunger happens year-round: please consider becoming a monthly sustainer.
$10 = 30 meals
$25 = 75 meals
$50 = 150 meals
- Volunteer – Every box packed, every bag of produce sorted, every delivery loaded is a lifeline for someone in need. Last year alone, the value of our volunteers’ time was over $300,000 — but to the families we serve, it’s priceless.
- Advocate – Hunger isn’t just about empty pantries; it’s about broken systems. Use your voice to call for policies that protect and strengthen food programs like SNAP (aka Food Stamps), CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program), and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program). Visit our Advocacy page for simple ways to reach your elected officials.
- Get Involved – Learn more, sign up, and stay connected at www.afoodbank.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@foodbanknc), and share our Hunger Action Month posts so others can join the cause.
Hunger is not just a lack of food—it’s a barrier to health, dignity, and opportunity. And it’s a problem we can solve, together.
