Every month men, women and children are worried about where their next meal will come from. According to the Oregon Food Bank’s 10 Hunger facts for OLAH Food and Fund Drive, in an average month, an estimated 15 percent of households in Oregon were food insecure in 2014. Oregon has one of the higher hunger rates in the country with nearly over a half a million food insecure Oregonians.

Of those who ate food from an emergency food box last year 36 percent were children. Early childhood hunger and malnutrition can result in irreversible health problems, such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney and heart disease, later in life. It is a problem that cannot be ignored.

The Oregon Food bank distributes food to more than 935 hunger-relief agencies in Oregon and Clark County, Washington, including the Tualatin school house pantry.

But where does all this food come from? The Oregon Food bank recovers food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources.

One way people are trying to help eliminate this problem is by donating to food banks around the state. LHS held a canned food drive in hopes to be part of that change. In 21 days last month, students donated 2,825 physical cans and 7,333 cans with the money that was raised. That is a grand total of 10,158 cans of food that was donated to the local Tualatin School House Pantry food bank.

“We assume that we are all being fed, but as much as we want to believe that, it’s not true,” said junior philanthropy director Ann Monroe. “ We chose the Tualatin School House Pantry because we wanted the school to come together to better enrich our community.”

Making a change can only happen if people are working together. People can give a flat cash donation but for others, especially high school students that isn’t always the best option. However, there is always a way to donate.

“The can food drive is unique within itself,” said Monroe. “It doesn’t just accept money, it can be as simple as sneaking one can from your pantry without your mom seeing.”

Students got together on Saturday, Jan. 31 and volunteered to go to homes around the Lake Oswego Community and ask for donations. It was a successful canned food drive and was a great opportunity for students to come together for a positive cause.

“People that you see on a daily basis could benefit from the food bank,” said junior philanthropy director Lauren Roticci. “That’s why I believe it’s so important to support our community and the communities around us.”

Every can matters because everyday there is someone out there hungry. The most wanted foods by drives include: canned fruits  canned vegetables  canned meats (tuna, chicken and salmon)  canned and boxed meals (soup, macaroni and cheese, etc.)  cooking oil  canned or dried beans and peas (black, pinto and lentils)  pasta, rice and cereal  100% fruit juice (canned, plastic or boxed).  Help them and donate to any food bank in Oregon. It can change their life.