Hunger is an issue that almost 49 million people in the US have to face on a year-round basis. To raise awareness of the problem of hunger, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley, a member of Feeding America, and 202 other Feeding America food banks across the nation participated in Hunger Action Month during September.

“The need for food assistance in our community is great and continues to grow,” said Mike Iberis, executive director, Second Harvest Food Bank.  “In the first six months of 2012 versus the first six months in 2011, we have had an 18% overall increase in the number of people in need of food assistance.  We encourage all residents of the Mahoning Valley to get involved and speak out against hunger to help us meet the needs of more than 14,000 residents that seek food assistance each week in our community.”