No one should face hunger or the anxiety of not knowing where their next meal will come from. Yet, in King County, food insecurity continues to rise.

At MSC’s Federal Way Food Bank, the number of households receiving food assistance has increased by 20 percent. The impacts of this crisis are also disproportionately felt by King County’s BIPOC communities, where 32 percent of Black adults and 26 percent of Latino adults experience food insecurity compared to just 7 percent of white adults.

The impacts of food insecurity can be long-lasting. Food insecure individuals are more likely to experience physical and mental health issues, including chronic illness. Food insecurity affects one’s ability to attend school and participate in the workforce, and overall well-being.

While food insecurity rises, funding for food banks is decreasing – why the community’s support is more important than ever, notes the team at MSC’s Federal Way Food Bank. Courtesy MSC

Seniors are a growing population facing food insecurity as well. Last year, 22 percent of those receiving food from MSC were 55 years of age or older, an increase of 5 percent over the last five years.

MSC is working to fulfill this growing need by providing easier access to food for seniors through their mobile food banks at senior living facilities. One senior who benefited from this shared, “We are all on fixed incomes now and the food is such a blessing as we all worry about keeping a roof over our heads as rents can always go up.”

And, while food insecurity rises, statewide funding for food banks is decreasing. Funding is not only needed for food, but also to support the staff and facilities needed to distribute this food in the community. Over the last few years, MSC has seen a decrease of 42 percent in food bank funding.

Working together, we can make sure that every member of our community has food on their table. Courtesy MSC

Feeding our neighbors is something we can all get behind. You may be asking yourself what you can do to help? Here are some ideas:

• Advocate for funding for food banks and food distribution in the state of Washington with your legislative representatives and other funding organizations.

• Volunteer at your local food bank or host a food drive.

• Support your local food bank with monetary gifts. MSC recently launched their #hungersquad where with as little as $5 a month, you can help fight food insecurity.

No family, child, or individual should be without a meal each day. Working together, we can make sure that every member of our community has food on their table.

Learn more at mschelps.org