Every year, Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report gives us a clearer look at hunger across the country. The latest edition, just released, is based on 2023 data and confirms what we already know at Community Food Share: hunger is real, and it’s close to home.

We see it every day. Hunger doesn’t always look like what people imagine. It’s the college student skipping meals to cover tuition. It’s the older adult choosing between groceries and medication. It’s the parent working full time and still struggling to keep food on the table. These numbers help tell their stories.

In Boulder County, more than 37,000 people don’t have reliable access to enough food. The average cost of a meal here is $4.45—nearly a dollar more than the national average. Altogether, the county faces a yearly food budget shortfall of over 31 million dollars. While some residents qualify for programs like SNAP, 45% of people facing hunger make too much to be eligible.

In Broomfield County, the situation is similar. More than 7,800 residents are food insecure. With an average meal cost of $4.19 and a food budget shortfall of over 6.2 million dollars, many people are falling through the cracks. In fact, 65% of food-insecure individuals in Broomfield are unlikely to qualify for SNAP.

This gap between need and access is where Community Food Share steps in. Last year, we distributed the equivalent of more than 11 million meals across Boulder and Broomfield Counties. Our partnerships with local grocery stores, community organizations, and volunteers help ensure that nutritious food reaches those who need it most. We do this through programs like Feeding Families, our onsite pantry; Blue Spruce Neighbors, which supports older adults; our mobile pantries; and our network of more than 40 partner agencies. Everything we do is built on a simple belief: food is a basic human right.

But this work is only possible with the support of our community.

As food prices remain high and federal benefits continue to fall short, Community Food Share is a critical safety net for thousands of our neighbors. Your support—whether by donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word—makes a difference.

Now is the time to help. Visit communityfoodshare.org to learn more about how you can help close the meal gap in our community. Because no one should have to choose between food and everything else.