WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — According to Feeding America, one in eight people in Georgia are battling food insecurity. That's more than 1.4 million Georgians and food banks in Central Georgia say they are seeing an increased need.
The Middle Georgia Community Food Bank says almost 107,000 Georgians in the 24 counties they serve are in need of food and more than 38,000 children are food insecure.
President and CEO of the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank Kathy McCollum says in their annual update, the need for food increased by 25%.
She says they are seeing higher prices when they buy from wholesale stores and they don't always know what food insecurities look like.
"We don't always recognize when someone is food insecure. It's not just somebody that is hungry in the moment but it describes a family who doesn't have the resources they need to regularly provide that nutritional food," McCollum said.
Toshiba Jackson lives in Warner Robins and went to the Salvation Army of Warner Robins's food pantry. She says she came to get a few food items to last the rest of the month.
She says prices at the grocery store aren't the same.
"For $100 you used to get a whole basket full of groceries. Now, you can only get three bags. And that may be milk, bread, bologna, and maybe peanut butter for those that can eat it," Jackson said.
Captain Paula Blevins with the Salvation Army of Warner Robins says in March, they served 51 families and 179 people. In June, they served 114 families and 407 people. That's a 127% increase in individuals.
McCollum says their annual report showed an increase too.
"And was very surprised to see that it had gone up by 25%. It's now estimated that in our 24-county service area, we have almost 107,000 people who are food insecure," McCollum said.
Even more, children don't know when they will have their next meal. She says one in four children in their 24 county service area are considered to be food insecure.
McCollum says through donations and buying food wholesale, the community food bank continues to distribute food every day. She says they work to find healthier options when available.
"Low sodium, no sugar added, those things that help people have a healthier diet," McCollum said.
Jackson says people should know that help is out there if families need to put food on the table. She says the city of Warner Robins should help people get to the food sources.
"If more people knew about it and we had more transportation to get to some of these places, then some the families would not be as hungry," Jackson said.
The Middle Georgia Community Food Bank is always accepting donations at their warehouse on Ocmulgee East Boulevard, Monday through Friday 9 am. to 4 p.m.
If you live in Houston County, you can donate dry goods, canned foods and miscellaneous items like baby formula, menstrual products, and toilet paper to the Salvation Army of Warner Robins at 96 Thomas Boulevard.