Food banks around the country are facing a growing demand and are looking for a permanent ways to address hunger, beyond handing out food.
Southern Arizona Community Food Bank runs Las Milpitas de Cottonwood, a community farm located in one of the city's lower-incomes areas. According to the National Public Radio, more than 50 families have a garden.
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona has served about 1,000 people. They help individuals set up home gardens and provide them with the information needed.
It boosts in confidence those who grow over the average amount, they are able to earn extra cash by selling their surplus at the farmers market. The food bank also provides a training program teaching people to raise and train their own chickens and bees.
The President and CEO Bill Carnegie told NPR, it has programs to help school children learn about nutrition and food.
"I was at a little session, probably a year ago, with I think it was fourth graders, and they were asked where carrot comes from. Not one child knew that carrots grew in the ground," Carnegie told NPR.
Despite the economy slightly improving, many families are still struggling with unemployment and financial struggles. Food banks around the country are looking for more.
Many food banks at in the United States are following in the steps of the Southern Arizona bank. But many residents are worried about Congress cutting federal food aid, which includes foods. According to NPR, many residents at the Southern Arizona food bank admit to using food stamps to help build their garden.
Another goal for the food bank is getting people in the community to be more involved, in hopes of yielding something good.
