Taking action against hunger; Nonprofits serve up hope.

• Author: Galeone, Christine
• Position: Weeklies

Byline: Christine Galeone

Have you ever known what it's like to go to bed hungry? Have you ever had to buy cheap, unhealthy food, struggle to feed your children a nutritious dinner or choose between buying food and paying rent? According to a 2014 Feeding America report, approximately 82,920 Worcester County residents confront these types of problems every day.

Fortunately, there are many wonderful foundations that fight hunger. In honor of Hunger Action Month, here are seven of the several nonprofit organizations and programs that generously serve food and hope to people in various parts of Worcester County.

Community Harvest Project: CHP's mission is to "build an engaged and healthier community by bringing volunteers together to grow fresh fruits and vegetables for hunger relief.'' Last year, with the help of more than 9,500 volunteers, CHP donated at least 1.1 million servings of fresh fruit and vegetables to Worcester County Food Bank's network of hunger-fighting organizations. It also donated fresh produce to Community Servings, a Boston-based nonprofit that prepares and delivers healthy meals to people battling illness. To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit their website, www.community-harvest.org. You can also mail a donation to Community Harvest Project, 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, MA 01536.

Massachusetts Children's Fund: In 2006, 17-year-old Daniel Levine envisioned a community where no infant or child would be malnourished. He had seen too many suffer from poor nutrition. To close the gaps in federally-funded programs, he enlisted the help of his parents, Steve and Jamie Levine, and he founded the Massachusetts Children's Fund. The nonprofit currently provides formula, infant supplies, baby food and health and nutritional education to infants and children in need. You can donate to this entirely volunteer-staffed organization on their website, www.machildrensfund.com, or by mailing a check to Massachusetts Children's Fund, 63 Lamplighter Drive, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.

Northborough Food Pantry: The small organization has produced big results. In the past year, it has provided over 3,500 bags of food to the 604 Northboro adults and children it serves. It has also brought together adults and children who have donated their time and resources to helping it continue its good work. Since 2007, the need for the food it supplies has increased by more than 65 percent. If you would like to volunteer, you may do so through its...