The Bigger Picture:
Food Justice and Community Resilience
Why Supporting Local Food Banks Is a Community Imperative
In Clark County, food insecurity isn’t a distant issue, it’s a daily reality for thousands of families, seniors, and children. While national headlines may focus on inflation or federal policy shifts, the most immediate lifeline for our neighbors often comes from local food banks and pantries. These grassroots institutions do more than distribute groceries, they anchor community resilience, restore dignity, and bridge gaps that policy alone can’t fix.
The Local Landscape: Hunger by the Numbers
Clark County’s food insecurity rate hovers around 15.6%, higher than both the state and national averages. That translates to tens of thousands of residents who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Among children, the numbers are even more alarming: 23% face food insecurity, with rates exceeding 30% in Latino and Black communities.
Local food banks served over 1.7 million people in 2024, nearly double pre-pandemic levels. And yet, federal support is shrinking. Cuts to USDA programs like TEFAP and LFPA have slashed food bank budgets by over $1 billion nationwide, leaving local organizations scrambling to fill the gap.
Beyond the Box: What Food Banks Actually Provide
When we think of food banks, we often picture canned goods and boxed pasta. But today’s local pantries are evolving to meet complex needs:
• Fresh produce and culturally relevant foods for diverse communities
• Diapers, hygiene products, and pet food for families in crisis
• Mobile pantries and delivery services for seniors and disabled residents
• Nutrition education and cooking classes to promote long-term health
• Referral networks connecting clients to housing, employment, and healthcare
These aren’t just handouts; they’re strategic interventions that stabilize lives and reduce long-term public costs.
The Human Impact: Stories Behind the Stats
Supporting local food banks means supporting real people:
• A single mom in Orchards who works two jobs but still can’t afford groceries after rent.
• A retired veteran in Hazel Dell whose fixed income doesn’t stretch far enough for fresh food.
• A high school student in Battle Ground who skips meals to help feed younger siblings.
These stories aren’t rare, they’re representative. And they remind us that food insecurity isn’t a moral failing; it’s a systemic challenge that demands community response.
Civic Power: Why Local Support Matters More Than Ever
Federal programs like SNAP and WIC are vital, but they’re often slow to adapt and vulnerable to political shifts. Local food banks, by contrast, are nimble, responsive, and deeply embedded in the communities they serve. They know the neighborhoods, the languages, the barriers and they act fast.
When we support these institutions, we’re not just donating food. We’re:
• Reducing healthcare costs by preventing malnutrition and chronic illness
• Improving educational outcomes by ensuring kids aren’t learning on empty stomachs
• Strengthening local economies by helping families redirect limited income toward rent, utilities, and transportation
• Building trust in civic infrastructure through visible, tangible impact
How You Can Help: It’s Not Just About Donations
Supporting local food banks doesn’t require deep pockets. Here are ways to make a difference:
• Donate strategically: High-need items include peanut butter, canned proteins, baby formula, and hygiene products.
• Volunteer your time: Sorting, packing, delivering, or helping with intake, every hour counts.
• Host a drive: Mobilize your workplace, school, or faith group to collect essentials.
• Advocate for funding: Push local officials to prioritize food security in budgets and policy.
• Share the message: Use your platforms to amplify need and celebrate impact.
Even small actions ripple outward. A single shared post can bring in dozens of new donors. A one-hour volunteer shift can feed hundreds.
The Bigger Picture: Food Justice and Community Resilience
Food insecurity intersects with housing, healthcare, education, and racial equity. Supporting food banks is a gateway to broader advocacy. It’s a chance to ask:
• Why are wages stagnant while rents rise?
• Why do some neighborhoods lack grocery stores?
• Why are federal benefits so hard to access?
Local food banks are on the front lines of these questions. By backing them, we’re not just feeding people, we’re fueling a movement for food justice and community resilience.
My Final Word: This Is Our Fight
In Clark County, hunger isn’t invisible, it’s in our schools, our neighborhoods, our workplaces. But so is compassion. So is action. Supporting local food banks is one of the most direct, impactful ways we can show up for each other.
Whether you’re donating, volunteering, organizing, or advocating, you’re part of a solution that starts local and scales outward. Because when we feed our neighbors, we nourish our community. And that’s a legacy worth building.