Commentary: Lowcountry food insecurity remains at 20-year high. Here's how we can tackle it.

For many of us, summer was an opportunity to take some time off, relax and spend time with family and friends. This often involves travel, not least to escape the heat during the hottest months. As we go into fall, many of us are now thankful for the expected return of cooler weather as we settle back into our routines.

September is also recognized as Hunger Action Month, an annual nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger and inspire action in our community, and the opportunity to advance new understandings of food insecurity driven by those who are closest to this issue. Despite some signs of an improving economy, high costs for food and other essentials such as rent have intensified food insecurity for many families. In coastal South Carolina, the food insecurity rate is at a 20-year high, with more than 184,000 neighbors experiencing food insecurity.



That's 12% of our population, and it includes more than 50,000 children. As a Feeding America member, the Lowcountry Food Bank knows from the group's 2024 Elevating Voices: Insights Report that the top three drivers of food insecurity in our country and in the Lowcountry are rising food costs, low incomes and the high cost of renting or buying a home. While the experiences of our neighbors vary, we know from listening to their voices that they continue to work hard and remain optimistic about the future.

The Insights Report outlines bold steps that we can take for ending hunger in our own backyard: Ending hunger should be something we can all agree upon. At Lowcountry Food Bank, we continue to work closely with the people we serve and elevate their voices. We will continue to uphold our mission to unite our community in pursuit of equitable, dignified and consistent access to food with the belief in a vision for a nourished and thriving coastal South Carolina.

To find food, volunteer or donate funds to support access to healthy food in our communities, visit lowcountryfoodbank.org . Nick Osborne is the president and CEO of the Lowcountry Food Bank.

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