Last year, 1 out of every 6 people in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.
According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were food insecure in 2022. That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.
Recommended Videos
The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said in a statement accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an increase in the number of people they served.
It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, Stacker compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Jacksonville using data from VolunteerMatch. Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.
Cultivating Change: Join Groundwork and North Riverside CDC in Nurturing Homes and Gardens! - Organization: United Way of Northeast Florida - Date: Jan 13 - Read more on website
Gift Shop Snack Cart Volunteer - Organization: UF Health Jacksonville - Read more on website
Volunteer Meal Delivery Driver - Organization: Aging True - Read more on website
Food Pantry Volunteer - Nourishment Network - Organization: Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida - Read more on website
Cook a Meal for a Neighbor in Need in Jacksonville, FL - Organization: Lasagna Love - Read more on website
Gift Shop Snack Cart - Organization: UF Health North - Read more on website
Volunteer to Make a Difference for People and Their Pets - Organization: FIRST COAST NO MORE HOMELESS PETS INC - Read more on website
Student Opportunity--Help Fight Hunger Around America's Breakfast Tables - Organization: CEREAL4ALL INC - Read more on website
Volunteer Sort Center Helpers - Organization: WASTE NOT WANT NOT INC - Read more on website
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.
