Food drive held in East Longmeadow

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - Even though the unemployment rate went down to the lowest it has been since 2009, many people here in Western Massachusetts are still struggling, just to put food on the table.

Since the recession more families have had a difficult time even putting food on the table. Food pantries this year have had to hold extra drives because their shelves were bare.

On Sunday the Expanding Business Beyond Expectations held a food drive for Rachel's Table because there are so many people who are struggling to have basic needs.

“I see people in homes who could very well be in need. It's all around us, we're very fortunate to be able to have what we have and it's really important to remember that not everybody is coasting along gaily,” said Sydney Hirsch President of Expanding Business Beyond Expectations.

Rachel's Table provides food for Western Massachusetts food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

The people at Expanding Business Beyond Expectations say they intend to conduct more food drives to help the needy.