Hunger in western Mass. is a serious concern that needs to be addressed. About 223,000 of an overall 814,967 people in western Mass. are food insecure.
Luckily, as citizens of the Franklin County, the effects of hunger are not so pronounced, but many neighboring counties are really struggling. Over 30 percent of Hampden County residents are considered food insecure. Being food insecure means lacking reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
There are many misconceptions around being food insecure that need to be addressed. One of these misconceptions are that “people who are overweight can’t be food insecure.” This is false. The reality is that many people can only afford the cheapest food, which happens to be very fattening and unhealthy.
Another large misconception regarding food insecurity is that “all people who can’t afford food must be unemployed and lazy.” This is also untrue. The minimum wage in this country is not enough to live off of and higher paying jobs are difficult to find without a college education.
Many families have to make choices between healthy food and other bills and this results in unhealthy eating or not eating at all. Luckily, we already have a local organization helping to resolve this issue — the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. The food bank is already doing everything in its power to put an end to hunger in western Mass., but it can’t reach everyone. Donating is a great way to support the hungry in western Mass. For those who are able to commit to a volunteer schedule, the food bank is always looking for volunteers. Any way you can help is greatly appreciated and is making a real difference in the lives of the hungry in western Mass. Thank You.
Isaac Blodgett
Bernardston