CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Blue Ridge Area Food Bank is spreading the word about Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign that will last through September by Feeding America to raise awareness of the growing food insecurity issue in the United States.

According to Feeding America, 47 million people, including 14 million children, currently face food insecurity in the U.S. marking it highest rate in over a decade. According to the Blue Ridge Food Bank’s Les Sinclair, that translates to one in nine people in the region.

This nationwide increase has been felt at the food bank, which saw an average of 171,200 monthly guests visit this past fiscal year, which concluded at the end of June. It was a 16% increase from the previous year, which saw an average of 148,200 monthly guests.

The year before that also saw a 16% increase.

“Since the pandemic, things have gotten noticeably more difficult for folks,” Sinclair said, “and so they are turning to the food pantries and the food bank network.”

With this in mind, the food bank hopes to use Hunger Action Month as an opportunity to bring awareness to the issue, with Sinclair sharing four ways for members of the community to get involved – donating and volunteering at the food bank, advocating for hunger-relief polices and raising awareness, particularly on Sept. 9, which is Hunger Action Day.

Each one of these methods of action will have an impact on the bank, with Sinclair taking time to highlight each one. Due to the food bank buying in bulk, every dollar donated will translate to three meals for local community members. For those looking to volunteer, the bank, which runs solely on them, has been grateful to have enough to make up 14 full-time positions over the course of a year. In terms of advocacy, Sinclair encouraged community members to tell their elected officials that food insecurity is an issue they should be paying attention to.

“Together we (can end) hunger, but we need the political will to do it,” he said, “and the federal government has much more of an ability to solve hunger than individuals.”

Finally, for those looking to spread awareness, Sinclair said the food bank is encouraging people in the area to wear orange on Hunger Action Day, a gesture he joked should be easy for many in the community.

“Just pull out your UVa shirt, throw it on and say ‘Hey, I’m recognizing hunger action in our community,'” he said.

The food bank will also be involved in events around the community throughout the month, including the Mad Jazz and Wine Festival on Sept. 6, which will donate a portion of it proceeds to the food bank.