(BPT) - While some people are pulling out their favorite family recipes this holiday season, millions of others are wondering where they will get their next meal. More than 44 million people, including 1 in 5 children, experience food insecurity each year, according to the USDA's annual Household Food Insecurity in the United States report. This staggering number includes anyone who doesn't have enough food to eat and people who are unsure of where their next meal is coming from. Food insecurity is more than just an empty plate, it's a crisis that affects the health, education and well-being of our communities.

This critical need is one reason Charles Schwab has committed employee volunteers and financial resources to help provide hunger relief this holiday season. 'When you start the day with a nutritious meal, it's so much easier to focus on the things that will help you achieve in school, excel at work, and thrive in life,' said Kristine Dixon, managing director of Charles Schwab Community Affairs. 'At Charles Schwab, one way we help build stronger communities is by working with local food banks and hunger relief organizations to help make a meaningful difference in so many lives.' Given its pervasive nature, food insecurity needs champions in all corners. As you prepare for the upcoming holidays, here are a few ways you can help address hunger relief and support your neighbors.

Donate to a local food bank

Inflation has driven up the cost of groceries, stretching paychecks thin and leaving more Americans struggling to make ends meet. Compounding that, 40% of food banks face a budget deficit, making it even harder to meet increasing community needs. Donating basic food items is a great way to help bridge the gap.

Most food banks accept dry packaged and canned food donations that are nonperishable and not expired. This can include items like canned soup, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta and rice. Some locations also accept personal care items like toothbrushes and shampoo if they are unopened and in their original packaging.

If you're not sure what to donate, monetary donations can go a long way. This funding can help food banks to stock exactly what they need, reduce waste, and help finance their organization.

Volunteer your time

The gift of your time can also be crucial, as most food banks rely on volunteers to keep their programs running smoothly and ensure that items are distributed to those in need. Volunteering responsibilities can include everything from loading food into boxes, serving hot meals to community members, delivering food, or packing meal kits.

Volunteering may seem like a big commitment, but by setting aside just a few hours, you can make a meaningful impact for families in your community who need support this holiday season.

Learn more about community initiatives

Food banks aren't the only organizations working to tackle food insecurity, and organizations nationwide are teaming up to address this issue. Thousands of Charles Schwab employees will volunteer with Harvest Pack, a humanitarian hunger relief nonprofit, to pack nearly one million nutritious meals that will be donated to families in need across the country.

'One in ten Americans lives in a household with food insecurity,' said William McNally, executive director of Harvest Pack. 'It's a pervasive issue, and through the support of companies like Charles Schwab that are deeply invested in their local communities, we can make sure every family has a nutritious meal on the table.'

While no single person can solve the challenge of food insecurity, collective action - driven by companies, community leaders, nonprofits, volunteers and neighbors - can make a meaningful difference. As you prepare for the holiday season, consider how you can help your neighbors through donations, volunteering and community outreach.

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