Durham Hunger Action Month results show the region’s municipal collection generated the equivalent of 7,712 meals, following donations from residents, businesses and staff. A joint municipal announcement released October 16 reports 3,000 pounds of food and $2,606 in financial contributions.
The collection ran from September 9 to October 5 across Durham’s municipalities. The final figures bring together the food and money contributed throughout that campaign period.
Contributions support Feed the Need in Durham and other local community food banks. The joint release also names Durham Community Action Group, The Salvation Army Hope, Community Development Council Durham, Storehouse Foodbank at Southside Worship Centre, and Christian Faith Outreach Centre.
The Durham Hunger Action Month results arrive amid continued pressure on food programs. Citing Feed the Need in Durham, the municipal release says the network of about 70 community food programs recorded more than 880,000 visits last year. Visits have increased nearly 350 per cent since 2020, and one in four Durham households identifies as food insecure.
The announcement also reports that nearly 10,000 people visiting the network’s food banks last year were doing so for the first time. Those are background indicators of need, not a count of people served by this single collection.
Feed the Need in Durham can collect, store and distribute two meals and other needed products for each dollar donated, according to the release. The reported 7,712-meal total represents the combined value of food and monetary donations; it is not a tally of cash donations alone.
Although the municipal campaign has ended, residents can continue supporting local food banks through donations and volunteering. Organizers encourage people to consult current most-needed-item lists so contributions match the supplies community programs require.
