47 million people face hunger in the U.S. including 13 million children.

That's the highest rate in mire than a decade according to Feeding America.

That national organization just released a report that shows food insecurity is continuing to grow.

"Urban areas, rural areas, suburban areas. All areas need help," said Mike Iberis from Second Harvest Food Bank. He says they continue to distribute 30,000 pounds of food each day to their 160 partners and pantries in the Mahoning Valley.

The numbers from Feeding America show food insecurity rates in Trumbull county 17.4%, Mahoning at 17.4% and in Columbiana at 16.5%.
In Mahoning county alone, the percentages add up to nearly 40,000 people.

"We prepare for it. We make sure our 160 pantries are telling us what they need, how they need it, and we adapt to that. It's a matter of adapting. Those numbers are going to continue to fluctuate. They go up and down," said Iberis.

Iberis says inflation has been a problem at the grocery store for a couple years. He says thankfully, the numbers of seniors asking for help has fallen slightly but now that school has started the need for donations to school pantries has increased.

Over in Mercer County, the food insecurity rate is at 16.5%.
A spokesperson for the Mercer County Food Bank says they will continue to depend on the generosity of their residents to help fill the meal gap.

"We always say it takes a community to feed a community. Right now we've experienced some cuts but because of our community we've been able to meet the needs of our neighbors and we are expecting the needs of our neighbors to grow with the recent snap cuts but because of the community we know will get through this," said Alexis Spence-Locke.

As all food banks work harder to keep up with demand you can help through monetary donations, donations of food and, well, just donating your time.

"Anyone makes a good volunteer. If you've got the time and a heart for our neighbors, this is where you should be. Give us a call we can get you set up. There's no volunteer shift that we can't accommodate," said Locke.