Initiative to help the hungry

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - There is a big push to help people who go hungry each day.

The organization, Feeding America, is partnering with more than 200 food banks nationwide, including the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts , to raise awareness about hunger.

"We know that at least 15,000 people each week seek food assistance in Western Mass.  We know that families are visiting pantries and meal sites for longer periods of time than they ever have before," said Sarah Gibbons from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield.

The demand is so great that, in July, the Open Pantry in Springfield was forced to close their doors because they ran out of food.

"We're seeing numbers as high as 300-400 people a day coming in to access food which is extremely high for us," said Allison Maynard, the Executive Director of Open Pantry Community Services.

The month of September is being called Hunger Action Month.

Next month, food banks are asking people to talk about hunger online through Facebook or Twitter, volunteer at or tour your local food bank, and on September 6th, wear orange to raise awareness about the issue.

For more ways to help fight hunger, go to foodbankwma.org