The holidays are a time for giving, and what could be more important than providing nourishment and comfort to those less fortunate than us?
Unfortunately, many small businesses overlook food banks during the holiday season. This is a mistake! Not only is it the right thing to do, but it can also help your business in many ways. So let’s talk about why food donations are essential—not just during the holidays but every day of the year—and how you and your company can get involved.
What Hunger Looks Like Today
When most of us think about hunger, we picture starving children in developing countries. And while it’s true that hunger is a significant problem in many parts of the world, it’s also an issue right here at home. According to Feeding America, 34 million Americans are food insecure, meaning they don’t have access to enough nutritious food to lead a healthy life. About a third of that number are children. The pandemic increased those numbers considerably.
The face of hunger in America is not what you might expect. Unemployment, underemployment, and low-paying jobs are all major contributing factors to food insecurity. Lately, inflation has priced many healthy food options out of the budget. Food banks are an option for some, but what if you’re ineligible or don’t live close enough to a food bank to access their services?
While it’s often assumed that people who need help from food banks are homeless, the reality is that most food-insecure households actually have a place to live. They just can’t make ends meet on their current income.
So, this holiday season, we urge you to take a moment to think about the people in your community who might be struggling to put food on the table. Then, consider how you can help.
Food Drive Georgetown
Every year around the holiday season, Heritage Office Suites in Georgetown spearheads a food drive. We collect food items and put together holiday food boxes for local families and shelters that feed the unhomed population in our area. We encourage our tenants, members, and other local businesses to contribute generously to increase our impact. Nothing is worse than having to endure the holidays without food on the table, especially when children are involved.
If you are interested in joining our food drive, contact us to ask how you can help!
For those living outside the area, here are some other ideas to help fight hunger during the holidays:
Donate to your local food bank
During the holidays, food banks often see a decrease in donations. Let’s change that! When you donate food to a food bank, you’re reducing food waste and providing vital assistance to those who need it most.
Donate to Keep Austin Fed
Restaurants, catering companies, grocery stores, or commercial food operations can donate leftover food to be distributed to local organizations. Call in advance to arrange pick-up, and they’ll do the rest!
Bottom line—the hunger problem in America is overwhelming. But supporting the hungry in our community is a way you can make a difference. This holiday season, why not join Heritage Office Suites to spread comfort and joy by putting nutritious, healthy food on the tables of those in need? Reach out today, and let’s get started!
