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Help Fight Hunger: Donate to Food Banks in Appalachia

Program Overview

For many children living in poverty, having reliable meals is just a dream. Our grants stock food banks with healthier perishable items. We deliver meals to children in the summer times when school is out as well as to families without vehicles that live too far from grocery centers. We provide funds to purchase turkeys and dinner meals for holiday celebrations.
With your support, we can address hunger in Appalachian communities and provide families with the tools they need to thrive.
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How To Access Our Programs

Our food assistance programs are distributed through community partners across Appalachia. If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please contact our local partners to check availability and distribution times. For more information, visit our Partners Page to find a program near you.

Why Your Support Matters in Appalachia

In Appalachia, poverty and food insecurity are daily realities for many families, especially children and seniors:

  • High Child Poverty Rates: The national child poverty rate was 16.0% in 2023, but states in the Appalachian region, like West Virginia and Tennessee, have rates of 17.0% or higher.
  • Rising Elderly Poverty: Poverty among individuals aged 65 and older increased in Virginia and Tennessee from 2022 to 2023, highlighting the growing needs of the elderly in rural communities.
  • Regional Challenges: The South, home to much of Appalachia, has the highest concentration of states with child poverty rates above 17.0%, reflecting the economic hardships faced by families in the region.

Together, we can provide immediate relief to families and empower them with tools for long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

How You Make a Difference

Your monetary donations directly fund programs that make a lasting difference in Appalachian communities!

Food Boxes

Each $36 donation provides a food box filled with essentials to feed a family of four for up to a week. Every year, thousands of these boxes are distributed to families in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and beyond. Local food bank donations like these help ensure no family goes hungry.

Summer Food Program

When school is out for the summer, many children lose access to daily meals they rely on. Our Summer Food Program helps bridge this gap by delivering nutritious lunches to children in rural Tennessee. Through initiatives like the Lunch Box Bus, we provide 320 meals per weekday, ensuring that no child goes hungry during the summer months.

Holiday Meal Program

During Thanksgiving and Christmas, families receive vouchers to purchase turkeys and other essentials, allowing thousands to celebrate traditional holiday meals together with dignity and joy.

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Stories of Impact

Bringing Holiday Joy

Crystal from Lee County, KY, shared how the holiday meal program made a difference for her family during a difficult time:

“Because of you all at Americans Helping Americans®, my family was able to have a wonderful Thanksgiving!”

Programs like this provide more than food—they bring families together and create lasting memories.

Inspiring Community Solutions

At Friendship Central School in Allegany County, NY, food boxes provided by Americans Helping Americans® became the centerpiece of a unique community event. Staff member Jacqueline Dent shared:

“Every meal at the event was made with the foods in each box. We are excited and had a great response!”

The school hosted a “Good Food Fest,” where families learned recipes using the box contents through cooking demonstrations and taste testing. This event turned food aid into an opportunity for education and connection.

Your kindness can change lives—will you join us?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I donate money instead of food?

Monetary donations have a greater impact by allowing us to purchase food and supplies in bulk, ensuring we meet the needs of more families. Donating to food banks financially helps us make every dollar stretch further.

Where does my donation go?

$36 can provide a food box, which provides a family of four enough food for a week.

Is my donation tax-deductible?

Yes!  All contributions to Americans Helping Americans are fully deductible, to the extent allowed by law.

How to donate to food banks in Appalachia?

Click the “Support Food Banks” button on this page to make a secure online donation.

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