Welcome to the #GiveHealthy Blog!
Each month, we share updates, insights, and tools to help food banks and pantries tackle hunger more effectively. Our digital food drive system is designed to remove traditional challenges, match donations to real needs, and strengthen donor relationships. Because hunger is a health issue, we focus on providing smarter tools for greater impact.
Time to buckle up!
Food drive season is going to be here before you know it. Our team has been busy onboarding a couple of dozen new food bank partners so they are ready to maximize their food drive support. Support of all kinds is needed now more than ever due to cuts in federal support and the growth of those needing assistance. For food banks and pantries thinking about how to increase their food drive support, there’s still time to partner with us.
Visit this page to find out how.
Cerealiously?
When the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County used the #GiveHealthy platform to run a Cereal Drive, they had no idea how it would go. Turns out people like to donate healthy cereal and the three week campaign hit its goal on Day 2. What to do? Set a new goal and keep on going.
Single purpose #GiveHealthy drives – whether designed to raise only Eggs, or just veggies or apples (a great one to tie into National Apple Day), resonate with donors – they are easy to understand and its a new way to grab attention.
Aloha!
We are thrilled to be making our first delivery of two tons of produce in Hawaii! Aloha Harvest is a new partner and they hit the ground running, with a number of groups, large and small, sponsoring #GiveHealthy drives in July, including the First Bank of Hawaii and Marriott. A big “Mahalo” to those groups for helping out!
Current News:
Reports continue to show how new Trump Law cutting SNAP will affect millions of Americans
A recently passed law backed by former President Trump ramps up work requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As a result, an estimated 2.4 million people—including parents, older adults, veterans, the formerly homeless, and former foster youth—may lose eligibility. The Congressional Budget Office warns that households earning under ~$24,000 could lose ~$1,200 annually, while wealthier households might see gains. Critics argue this shift could drive up hunger risks and strain local systems. (The Guardian, 4 minute read)
Food Banks are running on empty as demand soars
Food banks across the U.S. are grappling with severe shortages while facing surging demand for assistance. Federal budget cuts to SNAP and emergency programs are shrinking resources—forcing facilities like Roadrunner in New Mexico, Long Island Cares in New York, and others to limit operations. In Pennsylvania, SNAP-dependent food bank usage has surged 64% from 2022 to 2024. Local advocates are pushing for increased state and private support to fill the gap.
(The Wall Street Journal, 2 minute read)
Foodshare expands amid rising need
To address surging demand across Connecticut, Connecticut Foodshare is expanding its Wallingford distribution facility by 34,000 square feet. The nonprofit, which distributed 44 million meals last year, is responding to growing food insecurity fuelled by rising living costs and reductions in federal support like SNAP and Medicaid. The expansion adds storage, loading docks, office space, and more to enhance efficiency and capacity.
(CT Insider, 3 minute read)
In Case You Missed It – July News
Millions more Americans could turn to food banks soon. Food banks are simply not ready.
A recent Politico report warns that proposed Republican-led $1 trillion cuts to SNAP and Medicaid could force millions to rely on food banks already struggling to meet demand. The reductions may eliminate up to 9 billion meals annually—equivalent to all meals distributed by Feeding America last year. States and nonprofits are stepping in to help, but food banks may need to double their operations by late 2025 to keep up. (Politico, 4 minute read)
An increasing share of American adults are going hungry
Food insecurity is rising across the U.S., with demand at some food banks up over 100%, as new federal policies cut SNAP and Medicaid benefits. The recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill” adds strict work requirements and shifts costs to states, putting millions at risk of losing vital support. Experts warn these changes could push more families into hunger.
(Axios, 5 minute read)
New Law on Surplus Food: Is It Helping Food Banks?
California’s new surplus-food law (SB 1383) now mandates edible food be donated by large generators like supermarkets and restaurants, boosting most food bank donations and increasing access to nutritious items . However, many food banks report rising levels of spoiled or unwanted food and added logistical burdens, with half lacking sufficient funding or infrastructure to manage the extra volume. (Food Bank News, 3 minute read)
#GIVEHEALTHY Spotlight
We want to shoutout and say thank you to the thousands of organizations who have sponsored a #GiveHealthy food drive to support their favorite food bank or food pantry. Here are a few you might recognize!