Hunger doesn’t discriminate.

It can be found in cities large and small and neighborhoods rich and poor. Food insecurity can be found in every single county in the United States.

While we may know that hunger is an issue and where it can be found, much about food insecurity is misunderstood. Alan Belin explains what everyone should know about the global epidemic of hunger.

It’s Not Just a Problem in Other Countries

In America, an estimated 35 million people cope with hunger, including 9 million children.

While hunger is stereotypically viewed as just occurring in poorer, undeveloped countries around the world, it hits closer to home than some may know.

All U.S. counties cope with hunger, even in suburban and rural areas. While many believe that large urban areas contain the most food security, more individuals (12.7%) in rural areas are considered food secure than those in urban areas (11.6%).

It’s Not Just a Problem for Someone Else

Food insecurity can occur anywhere, especially where the cost of living is high, wages don’t improve, and food prices are increasing. Some people who are secure financially can be hit with a sudden emergency, such as a hospital bill or job loss, which makes stretching a dollar almost impossible.

About 40% of adults in the U.S. say they would struggle when facing an unexpected $400 expense, according to the Federal Reserve Board. Even in rich countries, about 8% to 20% of people are considered food insecure.

It Can’t Be Fixed with Just More Food

Food insecurity is complex and connected to ingrained societal issues involving low minimum wage rates, the prohibitive cost of higher education, and the lack of access to affordable healthcare in many communities.

Without addressing these underlying issues, food insecurity will become ingrained in America as well.

It’s Not Always Fiscal Irresponsibility

A big stigma attached to food insecurity is the belief that those who are hungry are wasting money on frivolous things. In reality, it’s because of the tough choices many individuals and families need to make to eat.

Many households are regularly faced with the decision to buy food or overlook medical care, pay rent and utilities and cover transportation often needed to maintain a job.

Hunger is Unpreventable

Food insecurity is such a widespread issue that many may feel it can never improve. It can, and there is something even one individual can do about it.

In the U.S., there is a large network of food banks and charitable organizations helping community members obtain consistent and healthy meals.

Nonprofits and charities, including Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, End World Hunger, and the Chicago Food Project work tirelessly to raise money for anti-hunger activities and innovative approaches like turning food waste that’s not actually waste into free food and meals for those who need it the most.

Feeding America isn’t a stand-alone charity. It’s a network of over 200 food banks that help food insecure people, whether their situation is temporary or long-term — and help them on the path to a less hungry future.