Greg decided to start volunteering for two very simple reasons.

“Everything’s so expensive, and people need help,” he says.

It’s no secret that times have been hard for our neighbors facing hunger. Major cutbacks in government funding have left many with higher expenses and tighter budgets.

At one point in his life, Greg sought support for himself at his local pantry. Now, he’s in a position to help — and he sees the need for food assistance is back on the rise.

“It seems like it’s a pretty steady flow of people that come through here,” he says. “Last time I was here, they [distributed food to] 190 cars in three hours.”

So, he decided to sign up to volunteer at Shalom Center in Kenosha. Since his first shift, he’s found so much joy in the gratitude of the people he helps.

“They say thank you all the time,” Greg says. “A lot of people are very appreciative of it. This place does a lot more than just hand out food.”

Greg is right — you’re offering so much more than a simple meal. Your support offers nourishment, community, and hope when times get tough. Thank you for standing with us in the fight against hunger.

READ MORE: Meeting the Growing Need in Our Communities