September is Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month™ - the Feeding America network’s annual nationwide campaign designed to inspire people to take action and raise awareness of hunger in the United States.

Across the U.S., hunger is on the rise as the cost of living continues to increase, including housing, utilities, healthcare, and food. Federal policy changes are adding to the burden already faced by seniors, families with children, and working individuals. In Massachusetts, an astounding 40% of our population experiences food insecurity. That means more than 2.8 million people aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from.

Closer to home, more than 480 Mansfield households visited the Mansfield Food Pantry in 2025 to shop for supplemental food. Looking at the first eight months of 2026, we have unfortunately seen those numbers rise.

But together, we have the power to end hunger here. Every action makes a difference. You can join the movement by donating, volunteering, advocating, or sharing our message online.

Donations make a difference. Monetary donations allow the Pantry to purchase staple foods - including dairy, proteins, and produce - that we wouldn’t otherwise receive through individual donations. As a member agency of the Greater Boston Food Bank, we can also purchase food at a low cost from them and from local partners such as supermarkets and grocery stores. At the same time, we rely heavily on the generosity of our neighbors; overall food donations make up almost 68% of our revenue.

Volunteers make it possible. The Mansfield Food Pantry is an all-volunteer-run organization, and there are countless moving parts required to keep operations running smoothly. In 2025, our volunteers contributed nearly 15,000 hours. They collected donations, welcomed clients, sorted food, managed inventory, supported events and food drives, helped with budgeting, and even planted seeds in our garden. We are incredibly proud of what we can accomplish through our shared commitment to bettering the lives of our food-insecure neighbors.

Awareness and advocacy matter, too. Many community members who need assistance don’t know that the Pantry - and many other resources - are available to them. Others may feel they’re “not that bad off” enough to accept help. The truth is, the Pantry and our incredibly generous community are here to support all community members. We just need to spread the word that it’s okay to ask for help.

We can also advocate for our neighbors by supporting leaders who are committed to ending hunger and by participating in local conversations and town meetings.

Ending hunger does, in fact, take all of us.