COLUMBUS, Ga. (WALB) - Feeding the Valley Food Bank is launching a new initiative to meet an increased expected need in the community.

Community Hunger Relief Fund is a targeted effort to expand food access and strengthen hunger relief programs across the food bank’s 18-county service area, according to the food bank.

The new initiative is in response to the recent reduction of SNAP and Medicaid benefits included in the recently passed federal budget bill.

For the past three years, food banks across the country have been navigating persistent food shortages driven by “higher grocery costs, a fragile supply chain, and a decline in government support for food commodities programs,” the food bank said.

Fewer trucks of food are arriving at the warehouse, and the food inventory has yet to return to pre-COVID levels. However, the demand for food assistance has remained 35% higher than pre-2020 averages, according to Feeding the Valley.

“Feeding the Valley remains steadfast in our mission to fight hunger, but we cannot meet the increased need that will result from the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. This legislation will deepen food insecurity for thousands in our region. With the increase in food insecurity in our service area and the food shortage we continue to experience, we cannot keep up with the current need for food as it is,” says Frank Sheppard, President & CEO of Feeding the Valley. “We need the community to be engaged in this growing hunger crisis. Our goal is to raise $500,000 through the new Community Hunger Relief Fund, so that we can ramp up our efforts now and respond immediately and compassionately to our neighbors in need.”

The Community Hunger Relief Fund will support the following key initiatives:

• Expanding food sourcing efforts to provide the resources necessary to purchase and acquire nutritious food
• Growing meal delivery services for children and seniors by adding new routes and transportation resources
• Launching a Neighborhood Market to provide affordable food option for working families who may not qualify for assistance but are still struggling to make ends meet

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