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Over these last previous years, there has been a concerted effort to face, adapt and get on top of the subject of food insecurity in Austin and in Mower County.

Most notably this has been done through the teamwork of The Hometown Food Security Project, which is bringing groups and organizations together to meet the food needs of those struggling to put meals on the table for one reason or another.

It’s a lofty challenge because the difficulty of meeting food insecurity is an ever-evolving problem based on a number of different factors. It’s so complicated in fact that no one group could successfully meet the whole of the issue.

It requires groups to come together and help each other where they can using unique skills typical of that organization. This requires us as individuals to help these groups if we’re all going to do our part to help tackle food insecurity.

One of those groups has put out a call this month and that’s the Salvation Army. The food shelf at the Salvation Army is taking part March 1 through April 6 in National Food Share Month.

The concept is simple. Local organizations will gather food or raise donations which all go toward the food shelf at the Salvation Army. In turn, Greater Minneapolis Community Connections (GMCC) will match a portion of that money and food raised as a contribution.

This is a massive effort in the drive to continue to chip away at food insecurity at a time when it’s needed most. Inflation continues to push on the economy and more and more people are having to turn to the food shelf for support.

If you read the story we’ve printed in this edition, which provides more information on this effort, you will have seen that not even halfway through this year, the Salvation Army is serving 1,100 more households, a 37.5% increase from last year.

The Salvation Army is able to meet these needs, but it can’t do it without support from other donating organizations and efforts, something that’s made even more challenging by an unknown future we are all witnessing.

Donations can be given in a number of locations in Austin, which were listed in the Page 3 story and we sincerely hope you consider giving.

No one person or group can stave off food insecurity, but together we can meet this challenge head on and make sure that everybody in our area has the opportunity for a meal at the table.