Southern Nevadans can help in Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month, making it the perfect time to recognize the impact of hunger throughout Southern Nevada and the diverse ways each of us can be a part of the solution. Tackling hunger is a critical first step to creating long-term success and a stronger community.

Unfortunately, the sad truth is that many hard-working Americans who have experienced loss of income have to choose between providing food for their families or paying for basic needs such as housing or medical care. Anyone at any time may need assistance, whether they ever envisioned needing help or not. Hunger can impact any family at any time and, as a community, we can be prepared to support our neighbors.

Feeding America’s 2014 Map the Meal Gap study found that 315,790 people in Southern Nevada face food insecurity. Approximately 43 percent of children receiving nutrition assistance from charitable nonprofits each month in Southern Nevada are served through Three Square sponsored programs. And, although our local economy is improving, our families across the Valley still need our help.

From 2009 through 2013, for example, there was a 50 percent increase in the number of households receiving nutrition assistance from the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (the former Food Stamp Program). Nationally, a shocking one in every seven Americans — or 46.5 million people — still rely on food banks to get the nutrition they need to stay well-fed and healthy.

Through the generosity of Southern Nevadans, we hear of success stories like the Davenports, who Three Square recently helped by a chance of fate. Mr. Davenport saw a SNAP table set up at our local VA Hospital while he was attending his wife’s chemotherapy treatment. The 75 year-old Army veteran approached the table to ask about the SNAP and energy assistance programs. Due to medical bills from his wife’s cancer and his recent stroke, they found themselves living in an RV on their son’s property. The SNAP representative completed the application for him on the spot and provided referrals to food pantries and other programs throughout the Valley. He now understands the ease of applying to programs and has been applying to others that he qualifies for.

The Davenports could have never predicted needing this critical assistance. But, thanks to Three Square and the generosity of our community, the Davenports have been able to persevere.

There are several different ways we can help local families get back on their feet. From participating in volunteer events to attending fundraisers, giving back is simple. If you can’t volunteer at a local food bank, donations can make a real difference. One option is participating in the annual Give A Meal campaign, which significantly extends the impact of individual donations. For every dollar donated to Feeding America during the campaign, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give an additional $2. This means, in Southern Nevada through December 31, for every $1 given to Three Square via the Give A Meal campaign, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will add another $2 to your donation.

To donate to the Give A Meal campaign, visit www.bankofamerica.com/give. Even if you can’t donate, sharing this link via Twitter, Facebook or email helps raise awareness about the very serious issue of hunger.

Using all of our connections, we can support efforts to help Southern Nevada grow and thrive by fighting hunger and putting our friends and neighbors on the path to long-term financial stability.

George W. Smith is Bank of America’s Nevada president.