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There is a growing need for food in the Essex and Dundalk area. The pantries and soup kitchens are struggling to keep up with the demand. More and more people are coming in to ask for help.

The problem is only getting worse. The unemployment rate in the area is rising and more families are struggling to make ends meet. More and more people are forced to choose between buying food and paying their rent or utilities.

There are a few organizations trying to help. The Salvation Army and the Catholic Charities are two of the most active. They provide food for the needy and help with other needs as well.

But, they can only do so much. They need more support from the community. More people need to donate money, food, and time. Otherwise, the problem will only continue to grow.

According to a study done in 2016, it is estimated that 15.8% of households in Baltimore City are struggling to put food on the table. That means that 1 in 6 families in our city are not able to consistently have enough to eat. This is a startling statistic, especially when we consider that Baltimore is the 20th largest city in the United States.

So what is being done about this problem? Well, thankfully there are a number of programs and initiatives in place to help those who are struggling. The Maryland Food Bank, for example, provides food to over 600 soup kitchens, food pantries, and other hunger-relief organizations throughout the state. They also have a number of programs specifically for children, such as the Power Packs program which sends home bags of food for kids to have over the weekend.

There are also a number of government assistance programs available, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which provides eligible low-income households with food benefits. In order to be eligible for SNAP, households must meet certain income guidelines.

What else can be done to help those in need? One thing that we can all do is donate to or volunteer with local organizations that help to feed the hungry. We can also advocate for policies that will help to reduce food insecurity. For example, we can support increasing the SNAP benefit levels or expanding the eligibility criteria.

If you or someone you know is struggling to put food on the table, there is help available. There are a number of food pantries and soup kitchens in Baltimore that can provide meals. You can also contact the Maryland Food Bank for more information on assistance programs.

No family should have to go hungry, but unfortunately, food insecurity is a reality for millions of American families. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 14.3 percent of American households were food insecure at some point during 2018, meaning they didn’t have reliable access to enough food for all family members. And while that number has gone down since 2011, when the USDA first started measuring food insecurity, it’s still far too high.

There are many reasons why families may struggle to put food on the table. Some may not have enough income to cover the cost of food, or they may not have transportation to get to a grocery store. Others may not have the cooking skills or knowledge to prepare healthy meals. Whatever the reason, no family should have to go without food.

There are many programs and resources available to help families in need. The USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides assistance to low-income families to help them buy food. There are also food pantries and soup kitchens that can provide families with meals. And many churches and community organizations offer programs to help families in need.

If you or someone you know is struggling to put food on the table, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are many people and organizations who want to help.