Reno County has officially declared September 2025 as National Hunger Awareness Month, highlighting the urgent issue of food insecurity affecting its residents. During a recent meeting, officials revealed alarming statistics: in Hutchinson, 52 children qualify for free or reduced meals, and overall, 1 in 5 children and 1 in 8 adults in Reno County face food insecurity.

The Reno County Food Bank, which served over 18,000 individuals last year, is at the forefront of addressing this crisis. Donna Davis, representing the Food Bank's board of directors, shared that the poverty rate in Reno County is about 10% higher than the state average, with 14.5% of children living below the poverty line. She emphasized the growing need for support, noting that 70% of students in USD 308 qualified for free or reduced meals last year.

Davis also highlighted the challenges faced by the Food Bank, which operates out of a cramped 2,000-square-foot space. This limited capacity restricts their ability to serve the community effectively, as they can only accommodate two families shopping at a time. Despite these challenges, the Food Bank is taking action by purchasing and renovating a former Family Dollar building to expand its operations. This new location will allow for better service and increased capacity to meet the needs of the community.

As Reno County embarks on National Hunger Awareness Month, officials are urging citizens and businesses to support local food initiatives. The call to action is clear: addressing hunger and food insecurity is a community effort that requires collective involvement.